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Charles J. Vopicka 



SECRETS 
OF THE BALKANS 



SEVEN YEARS OF A DIPLOMATIST'S LIFE 
IN THE STORM CENTRE OF EUROPE 



By 
CHARLES j: VOPICKA 

UNITED STATES ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY AND MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY 
TO ROUMANIA, SERBIA AND BULGARIA, 1913-1920 



CHICAGO 
RAND M9NALLY & COMPANY 

1921 



Copyright, lQ2i, by 
Charles J. Vopicka 






Made in U. S. A. 
Press of Rand McNally, Chicago 



)CIA653140 



V. 



FOREWORD 

BLOW struck in the Balkans, as of steel upon flint; a 
spark, a flame — and then, the holocaust of the world! 

But the blow came from without; the hand of tyranny was 
raised against a people whose freedom had been bought with 
their own blood. 

The World War began in the Balkans, yet its origin was in 
the hearts of the unscrupulous autocrats whose ruthless ambi- 
tion knew neither justice nor limit; who counted the subjection 
of a free people merely as the first move in the game to win 
commercial and political supremacy, and in the end, to dominate 
the world. Serbia was only a pawn, to be swept aside as the 
first obstacle in the path of world conquest. 

This, then, is the story of the Balkanic Nations, from the 
earliest times, dealing briefly with the many centuries of invasion, 
oppression and continual fighting for liberty, and dwelling in 
detail on the heroic struggle in the great cataclysm, when their 
lands were again coveted as spoils of war. 

In the narration is revealed intimate and positive knowledge 
of cause and effect, events and conditions, gained in seven years 
of constant and close association with rulers and subjects, in the 
full confidence that is born only of companionship in affliction. 

The work is intended to shed light on the causes and results 
of the world's most monstrous crime, in the hope that the knowl- 
edge will help in the consummation of the great ideal of all 
civilization — a Peace on Earth which shall endure until the end 

of time. 

Charles J. Vopicka 

Chicago, Illinois 
July, 1921 



I -^ii 



CONTENTS 

CHAPTER I PAGE 

Early History of the Balkan Nations 1 

CHAPTER H 
Appointed Minister to the Bali^lans — Assuming Charge 
OF the Legation — Receptions and Ceremonies . . 18 

CHAPTER HI 
Some Intimate Glimpses of Royalty — The First War 
Cloud 24 

CHAPTER IV 
Early Serbian Triumphs on Battlefields — Ravages of 
Sickness 35 

CHAPTER V 
Proof of Plot between Kaiser Wilhelm and Wife of 
Archduke Ferdinand 46 

CHAPTER VI 
Condition of Prisoners of War in Serbia .... 51 

CHAPTER VII 
Bulgaria Enters the War — Serbian Retreat — King 
Peter's Heroism 63 

CHAPTER VIII 
Last Days of Queen Elisabeth — Cause of Bulgarian 
Attitude 72 

CHAPTER IX 

ROUMANIA DURING PERIOD OF NEUTRALITY — DECLARATION 

OF War 78 

CHAPTER X 
RouMANiA Enters War on the Side of the Allies — 
Conditions of Unpreparedness 89 

vii 



viii CONTENTS (Continued) 

CHAPTER XI PAGE 

Buried German Explosives Found in Roumanian Capi- 
tal — Plot to Inoculate Horses and Cattle 98 

CHAPTER XII 

Bucharest Taken by Army of Central Powers— 
Rigorous Rule of General von Mackensen . . .105 

CHAPTER XIII 
An American Reporter's Views— The American Lega- 
tion Ousted 115 

CHAPTER XIV 
Berlin Admits Blunder — Back to America — Return 
VIA Orient and Russia 125 

CHAPTER XV 
At Jassy, Temporary Capital of Roumania — Sanitation 
Problems — Russian Opportunity Lost 132 

CHAPTER XVI 
Russian Revolution Disrupts Plans and Deprives 
Roumania of Assistance 144 

CHAPTER XVII 
Defection of Russians on Roumanian Front — Ukrainia 
Declares Independence 156 

CHAPTER XVIII 
Peace Terms Imposed on Roumania — Ratification 
Urged by Central Powers 168 

CHAPTER XIX 
Czecho-Slovaks in Russia — Valorous Deeds and In- 
valuable Aid to Allies 180 

CHAPTER XX 

New Roumanian Cabinet — Peace Terms Depriving 
Country of Most Valuable Resources .... 187 

CHAPTER XXI 
Union of Bessarabia and Roumania — Ukrainia Being 
Germanized 195 



CONTENTS (Continued) ix 

CHAPTER XXII PAGE 

New German Demands on Roumania 203 

CHAPTER XXIII 
Roumanian Elections Controlled by Germans — In- 
trigue AGAINST Crown 217 

CHAPTER XXIV 

Crops Much Less Than Food Requirements — Elope- 
ment OF Crown Prince 232 

CHAPTER XXV 

Germans Offer Concessions to Hasten Ratification 
OF Peace Treaty 245 

CHAPTER XXVI 

Advice to Bessarabians — Securing Justice for Jews 
in Roumania 259 

CHAPTER XXVII 
King Ferdinand Cables President Wilson — Cessation 
OF All Hostilities 274 

CHAPTER XXVIII 

Proclamation in Bucharest of General Berthelot — 
Great Danger of Famine 283 

CHAPTER XXIX 
Distressing Shortage of Food — Healing Breach 
between Allies and Roumania — Trade Develop- 
ment 297 

CHAPTER XXX 

Sketches of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie — 
Other Roumanian Patriots 309 

CHAPTER XXXI 
Improbability of Future European Wars .... 320 

CHAPTER XXXII 
Russia's Great Sacrifices and Invaluable Aid — Her 
Future 325 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

Charles J. Vopicka Frontispiece 

King Peter of Serbia 1 

Czar Ferdinand of Bulgaria 6 

King Carol of Roumania 10 

Roumanian Residence in Bucharest 14 

American Legation in Bucharest 14 

Royal Palace in Sofia 18 

The Black Mosque in Sofia 18 

Junction of the Sava and Danube Rivers in Belgrade 22 

Fortress in Belgrade — View from the Outside . . 22 

Czarina Eleonora of Bulgaria 26 

On the Way to Samakov, Bulgaria 30 

Queen Elisabeth— "Carmen Sylva" of Roumania . 34 

Main Street in Belgrade 38 

Street Scene in Belgrade 38 

N. Pachich, Prime Minister of Serbia 42 

American Consulate at Nish 46 

Serbian Metropolitan and Bishop on the Doorsteps 
OF Their House in Nish, with Minister Vopicka, 

His Wife and Daughter 46 

Scene near Valjevo, Serbia, after the Battle be- 
tween Austro-Hungarians and Serbians .... 50 

Graves of Serbian Soldiers between Kraljevo and 

Cacak in Serbia 50 

Dr. Jicinsky, Commander Gaintch, American Minis- 
ter Vopicka, Dr. Richard Strong, Colonel Sola, Dr. 

Lebel Korovic, Captain Billand 55 

Austro-Hungarian Officers, Prisoners of War in 

Nish 59 

Hills and Fields in Gramada, Serbia 62 

Austro-Hungarian War Prisoners at Nish .... 62 

xi 



xii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS (Continued) 

PACE 

Detention Camp for Austro-Hungarian War Prisoners 

AT Gramada 66 

Austro-Hungarian War Prisoners Transported in 

Railroad Cars in Serbia 66 

Austro-Hungarian Officers, Prisoners of War, Taking 

Promenade in Their Park 70 

Austro-Hungarian War Prisoners in Nish .... 70 
Park for Austro-Hungarian Officers, Prisoners of 

War, Nish 74 

Palace in Which Austro-Hungarian Officers, Prison- 
ers OF War, Were Interned 74 

International Commission Examining Kitchen for the 

Austro-Hungarian and German War Prisoners . . 78 
Austro-Hungarian War Prisoners Working on the 

Railroad in Gramada 78 

German and Austro-Hungarian War Prisoners in 

Bucharest 82 

Royal Palace in Sinaia, Roumania 86 

Room in Royal Palace at Sinaia 86 

Street Group of Orientals 90 

Flood of Lepenitza River in Serbia 90 

A Serbian Porter 94 

Market Place in Nish 94 

Roumanian King Addressing People 98 

Mountain Horn Blowers in Roumania 98 

Serbian Peasants 102 

Peasant Girl from Prahova, Roumania 102 

Roumanian Wedding 106 

Guests at the Wedding 106 

At the Baths in Tekirkiol 110 

Bulgarian Beauties 110 

Monuments on Tombs of Serbian Soldiers . . . .114 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS (Continued) xiii 

Monuments to Serbian Soldiers Who Fell on the 
Battlefield, Erected in Their Villages . . . .114 

Fortress Hotin in Bessarabia (Fifteenth Century) . 118 

German Prisoners in Roumania 118 

Scene at a Railway Station in Serbia 122 

Roumanian Peasant Bride and Groom 122 

Turkish Mosque in Skopelje (Uskub), Macedonia . . 126 

Palace of the Metropolitan in Cernovitz, Bukowina 126 

Prince Regent Alexander of Serbia in Conference 
WITH Officers on the Battlefield 130 

Railway Station in Serbia 130 

Vasil Radoslavoff, Prime Minister of Bulgaria . . 134 

King Boris of Bulgaria 139 

Prince Cyril of Bulgaria 139 

Princess Eudoxia of Bulgaria 143 

Princess Nadeschda of Bulgaria 143 

French Hospital at Vrnjanka Banja, Serbia . . . 146 
Arrival of Schlepp No. 229 Loaded with Flour for 

THE American Red Cross in Belgrade 146 

Family Meeting at Sofia 150 

A Turkish House in Macedonia 150 

Turkish Palace at Bardovac, Used for War Prisoners 154 

Serbian Fortress at Belgrade 154 

On the Road to Knjashevatz, Serbia 158 

Tombs of Serbian Soldiers 158 

Turkish Mosque at Nish 162 

Turkish Mosque at Uskub, Macedonia 166 

Wall around the Prison in which Austro-Hungarian 
Prisoners Were Interned in Bardovac, Macedonia 166 

At the Funeral of Queen Elisabeth 170 

Prince Nicolai of Roumania in the Parade on May 10 170 
At the American Consulate in Belgrade . . . .174 



xiv LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS (Continued) 

PAGE 

Talking with English Lieutenant Who Was at the 
Head of the English War Prisoners' Camp in Phil- 
ippopoLis, Bulgaria 174 

Minister Vopicka, Consul General Murphy, Colonel 
Yates and Captain Klepal, Visiting Camp of Eng- 
lish War Prisoners at Plovdivo, Philippopolis . .178 

Detention Camp of English War Prisoners at Phil- 
ippopolis 178 

Royal Palace at Sinaia, Roumania 182 

King Ferdinand I of Roumania 186 

TiLEAjEN Valley — View of Monastery 190 

Room in the Royal Palace in Sinaia 190 

Diplomats at the Funeral of King Carol of Rou- 
mania 194 

Roumanian Cottage 194 

Jon. I. C. Bratianu 198 

Prince B. Stirbey 202 

Take Jonescu 206 

Nicu Filipescu 210 

Pavilion at the Race Track in Bucharest . . . .214 
The Pavilion of the Queen, in Constanza, Roumania . 214 

Roumanian Street Peddlers 218 

Fortress in Brassov, Transylvania 222 

Bridge over Danube River at Cerna Voda, Roumania, 
Destroyed by the German Army 222 

Traveling on the Railroads in Roumania during the 
War 226 

Town of Campulung in Walachia 226 

Roumanian General Staff 230 

Monastery at Tismana, Roumania — Church from 
Fourteenth Century 230 

Minister Vopicka Addressing German War Prisoners 
in Bucharest 234 

Monastery in Putna, Bukowina, now Part of Roumania 234 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS (Continued) xv 

Episcopalian Palace and Church of the Monastery 

AT CURTEA DE ARGESH IN ROUMANIA 238 

BiSTRiTZA Valley in Walachia 238 

Alexander Marghiloman 242 

Mihail Pherekyde 246 

Alexander Constantinescu 250 

General Averescu 254 

Small Steamer " Rannenfjord, " Which Brought Min- 
ister VopiCKA FROM Norway to America .... 258 

Jassy, Moldavia 258 

The Four Allied Ministers at Jassy 263 

Reception by King Ferdinand I of Roumania, of Amer- 
ican Minister Vopicka, Military Attache' Colonel 
Yates, and Colonel Anderson of the American Red 
Cross, on the Steps of the Royal Palace in Jassy . . 266 

Princess Elisabeth of Roumania with Prominent 
Roumanian Ladies as Hospital Attendants at Her 
Hospital in Jassy, with Minister Vopicka and Col- 
onel Anderson of the American Red Cross . . 271 

Queen Marie at the Canteen of the American Red 
Cross in Jassy with Colonel Anderson 274 

Members of the American Red Cross Commission, and 
Doctors and Nurses for Roumania, at Jassy . . 274 

First Trip of Minister Vopicka to Address the Rus- 
sian Soldiers near Galatz, Roumania, with Rouma- 
nian Minister A. Constantinescu, American Mili- 
tary Attache Colonel Yates, Colonel Glasgow and 
Major Flexner, Members of the American Red 
Cross 278 

Russian Military Headquarters at Ajud, Roumania . 278 

Minister Vopicka Speaking to Russian Soldiers in 
SuccAVA 282 



XVI LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS (Continued) 

PAGE 

Minister Vopicka Addressing Russian Soldiers . . 282 
Scene on the Way to the Trenches Occupied by Rus- 
sian Troops in Roumania 282 

View of Kishenev in Bessarabia 286 

SiBiu, or Hermannstadt, in Transylvania 286 

General Grigorescu 290 

King and Queen of Roumania, with Generals and 

Ministers, in Transylvania 294 

Members of American Food Commission in Roumania 294 

Czecho-Slovak War Prisoners Who Ca?^e to Roumania 
from Russia, Waiting for a Chance to Fight for the 

Allies 299 

Petroleum Wells in the Valley of Campina, Roumania 302 

Petroleum Refinery at Campina 302 

T. G. Masaryk, President of Czecho-Slovakia . . . 306 
Visit of the President of the Czecho-Slovak Republic 

TO Roumania 306 

Queen Marie and Princess Illiana among the Orphans 310 
Princess Illiana of Roumania 310 

On the Diplomatic Platform, at the Celebration of 
May 10 IN Bucharest 315 

On the Reviewing Stand on May 10 in Bucharest . 319 

Queen Marie of Roumania 322 

WooDROW Wilson 326 

Decorations Accorded Mr. Vopicica— Serbian Order 
of the White Eagle 1st Class — Roumanian Order 
OF Mare Cruce 330 



SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 




King Peter of Serbia 



SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 



T 



CHAPTER I 

EARLY HISTORY OF THE BALKAN NATIONS 

O understand fully the Balkan situation at the 
outset of the World War, it is necessary to know 
the history of the several states through their many 
centuries of almost continual bloody strife. 

The Balkans have been termed 'The Hotbed of 
European Politics." To one not conversant with the 
facts, this might seem to imply that the inhabitants of 
this area were natural trouble makers; that all the strife 
originated here, and kept the peaceful nations outside in 
a constant state of anxiety. 

But the truth is that, owing to its natural resources 
and its geographical position, the Balkan Peninsula has 
ever been a tempting prize, to be won by conquest, and 
it has been the victim of more invasions, and consequent 
devastation, than any other civilized region on earth. 

The peoples of the different states have at times 
quarrelled and fought with each other, and occasionally 
one took a slice of the other's territory, but in the main 
their wars have been waged with invaders who sought to 
enslave them, or with their conquerors, whose yoke of 
slavery they bravely threw off. 

During very many of the last fifteen hundred years 
they were engaged in war, but almost always they were 
fighting for freedom. 

To the vicissitudes of fortune through which they 
have passed, from peace and plenty to utter misery, the 
physical hardiness and indomitable spirit of the present 
day temperamental Balkanic peoples may be ascribed. 

1 



2 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

The Balkan Peninsula is situated in southeastern 
Europe, touching the Adriatic, yEgean and Black Seas. 
Balkan is a Turkish word, applied to a range of mountains. 
This range, terminating at the Black Sea, is really an 
extension of the Carpathians. Generally the country is 
hilly, with an abundance of water supplied to the fertile 
valleys by rivers and many small streams. In early 
times there were the provinces of Paunonia, Dalmatia, 
Thrace, Moesia and Dacia, the latter comprising modem 
Walachia and Transylvania. These provinces were 
united by Emperor Trajan, and up to the end of the 
third century were benefited by the influences of Roman 
civilization. 

During the reign of Constantine the Great, in the 
fourth century, the Huns came from Asia and settled 
on the European shores of the Black Sea. Later on, the 
empire was divided, the western portion being Latin and 
the eastern part Greek. By both, the Albanians were 
driven to their present territory. At times, the Chris- 
tians on the peninsula waged war on each other. In the 
fifth century, the Huns occupied the present Hungarian 
territory, frequently raiding and devastating sections of 
the Balkan Peninsula. In the year 453 the Huns 
returned to Asia, but in the latter part of the century 
they again invaded the Balkans. As a result of the 
constant invasions and warfare, the Balkan inhabitants 
lapsed into a state of semi-barbarism. 

In the sixth century, the Slavs first appeared, coming 
from what is now Galicia in Poland. They were a 
peaceful people, with little organization and no import- 
ant leaders, but with them came hordes of the Avars, 
who were a type similar to the Huns, and equally dreaded. 
But early in the eighth century the Avars disappeared, 



EARLY HISTORY OF BALKAN NATIONS 3 

and the Slavs spread out all over the country. Those 
who entered Macedonia and Greece lost their identity, 
and the few who remained in Dacia transmitted to the 
present Roumanian language its words of Slavic origin. 
With the expulsion of the Avars, Greek settlers appeared 
and later these and the Slavs intermarried. 

The exact date of the advent of the Serbians in the 
Balkan Peninsula is uncertain, but they were known to 
be in the Byzantine provinces in the year 637. The first 
Serbian state was established at the end of the eighth 
century under the leader Zupan of Zagorye, under whose 
grandson the limits of Serbia were considerably extended. 
After his death, Serbia lost her independence and became 
part of Bulgaria under Kings Boris First, Simeon, and 
Samuel. After the death of the latter, in 1018, Serbia 
became part of Byzantium, and remained under Greek 
control until the latter part of the twelfth century, 
when Stephan Nemanya united the Serbians in revolt. 
He founded the Nemanyich dynasty, which ruled until 
1371. His son Stephan was proclaimed the first Serbian 
king, and a later descendant was King Stephan Dushan 
Nemanyich, who united in one kingdom Serbia, Albania, 
Greece, Bulgaria and part of Macedonia. He was called 
Emperor of the Greeks, Bulgarians, and Serbians. 

He made civil and criminal laws,, and the empire 
generally prospered during his reign, but after his sudden 
death in 1355, dissension arose, and the great empire 
was divided under different rulers. King Lazar, of the 
Nemanyich dynasty, who ruled the northern portion, 
attempted to unite all the neighboring countries in a 
great drive against the Turks. But they were disas- 
trously defeated by the Turks under Sultan Murad 
First, on the field of Kosovo, June 15, 1389, both leaders 
losing their lives. 



4 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Serbian independence continued only until 1459, 
when the Turks became masters of the entire Balkan 
Peninsula, and thereafter, for over three hundred years, 
the Serbians and other conquered nations were treated 
with great cruelty and oppression. They had no rights 
or privileges whatever and were forced to pay heavy 
tribute. 

The Turkish oppression became unbearable, and the 
first steps to throw off the yoke were taken by a number 
of the young men of Serbia, who organized in bands and 
made their haven in the mountains. These were known 
as the Hajduks (Hydooks). Whenever instances of 
Turkish cruelty became known to them, they were swift 
and terrible in their vengeance, and they became so 
greatly feared that tyrannous actions ceased in many 
places. Through them, the Serbian church and the 
Violonists (Gooslars), the memory of former Serbian 
independence was kept alive. 

Among the Turks, the real fighters were the Janis- 
saries. These were young men who had been stolen in 
childhood from Christian parents, and had been reared 
as Turks and given only military education and training. 
Under Turkish guidance they were made cruel and mer- 
ciless to the utmost. Only the diabolical Turkish mind 
could conceive of making fiends of men in order to turn 
them unwittingly against their own flesh and blood. 

Under the orders of their Dahees, or Captains, the 
Janissaries set about the execution of the most prominent 
Serbians. In one week, the heads of one hundred and 
fifty leading men were sent to the Janissaries' head- 
quarters in Belgrade, and very few in that section were 
able to escape. Among those who did escape at this 
time was Georges Petrovitch, called Kara Georges, or 



EARLY HISTORY OF BALKAN NATIONS 5 

Georges the Black, the leader of the Hajduks living in 
the village of Popola. All able-bodied men who could 
gain the mountain retreats were organized in 1804 under 
the leadership of Kara Georges, and descending on the 
Janissaries, they speedily put them to death. In 1805, 
the Serbians won a decisive battle with the Turks, and 
in 1807, Serbia was free, from Drina to Timok. 

Kara Georges at times was as violent as he was brave. 
He declared to the Serbians who sought his leadership 
that he would kill anyone who disobeyed him, but the 
answer was that they wanted just that kind of a man. 

To the unspeakable woe of Serbia, the English and 
French did not approve of her struggle for independence, 
and they inflicted great damage on the Serbian revolu- 
tionists in a great battle at Cuprije. In their desperate 
dilemma, the Serbians turned to Russia, and were there 
promised support, but the Russians being obliged to 
make peace in Bucharest in 1812, the unfortunate Ser- 
bians were again left friendless. 

Then Georges the Black was stricken with typhus, 
and the Turks attacked Serbia on three sides and gained 
an easy victory. Later Kara Georges left his country in 
order to consult with the Russian Czar, but he was de- 
tained by the military commandant at Varazdin, and 
therefore failed to see the Czar. In October, 1813, 
complete defeat of the Serbians was accomplished, and 
from that time to the end of January, 1815, Belgrade 
was a shambles, with a multitude of Serbians the victims. 

After the departure of Georges the Black and other 
prominent men, Serbia was bereft of all her capable 
leaders, save one. This was Miloch Obrenovitch, who 
declared to his people that he would not forsake them 
in any circumstances. But with the Turks, Miloch 



6 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

dissembled. He came to Belgrade to offer the submission 
of the Serbians, and was accepted by the Turks as the 
Serbian representative. On the surface he kept every- 
thing peaceful for eighteen months, but at the same 
time he was secretly organizing the Serbians. 

In 1815 he led the Serbians successfully against the 
Turks in several battles, and in 1816 Serbia was granted 
autonomy. Immediately after this, Kara Georges re- 
turned, which fact was reported by Veyvoda Miloch to 
the Turkish Vizier in Belgrade, who at once demanded 
Georges' head. Soon after, Kara Georges was killed 
while asleep, and some of the Serbians accused Miloch 
of the murder. This started a feud between the two 
families of Obrenovitch and Georgevitch, which resulted 
in the assassination of Prince Michael Obrenovitch in 
1868, and of King Alexander, the last Obrenovitch, in 
1903. 

Veyvoda Miloch made an excellent leader. He was 
a good statesman, diplomat and business man. Under 
his rule the peasants were given land, and allowed to 
keep what they occupied. In 1817 he was given the 
title of Prince of Serbia, which rank was approved by 
the Russians and the Turks. He had a serious dispute 
with Russia regarding the form of government, Miloch 
claiming that the authority should be vested in him and 
in the Skuptstina, or Parliament, under the constitution 
which he granted the people, but as he had proclaimed 
this constitution without first obtaining the consent of 
Russia and the Sublime Porte, he was obliged to with- 
draw it, and Russia and Turkey substituted a new con- 
sitution under which the power was vested in a senate 
consisting of seventeen members, who were controlled 
by the Porte. His opposition to this made enemies, who, 




Czar Ferdinand of Bulgaria 



EARLY HISTORY OF BALKAN NATIONS 7 

with the assistance of Russia, compelled him to abdicate 
in 1839. His son, Obrenovitch III, succeeded him, but 
in a short time he was also compelled to leave the country. 

In 1847, Alexander Karageorgevitch, son of Georges 
the Black, was called to the throne. During his reign, 
Serbia was at peace with the Porte and with Austria. 
He incurred the enmity of Russia after the defeat of that 
country in the Crimean war. Russia expected Serbia 
to engage Turkey in war, but the Senate voted against 
it, and from that time, Austrian influence in Serbia was 
stronger than Russian. But Russian machinations suc- 
ceeded in turning the Serbian people against Prince 
Alexander as an Austrophile, and he was deposed in 1858. 

Miloch Obrenovitch was then called from exile to 
the throne, but he died in a short time, and his son, 
Michael Obrenovitch III, was again made ruler. He 
succeeded in having all the Turkish fortresses in Serbia 
turned over to the Serbians, having gained the approval 
of the European Powers, which removed the last vestige 
of Turkish control in Serbia. Less than a year later he 
was murdered near Belgrade, and while it was charged 
the deed was done by friends of the Karageorgevitch 
dynasty, no proof was secured. 

As he left no heirs, Milan, the son of Prince Michael, 
took the throne as Obrenovitch. Being only fourteen 
years old, a vice-regent acted for him. During the vice- 
regency, two political parties were formed, the Progress- 
ionist and the Radical. In 1871, when Prince Milan 
became of age, he sided with the Radicals, but in 1880 
he turned to the Progressionists. In 1876 he declared 
war against Turkey, but was defeated. This war caused 
Czar Alexander II to proclaim war against Turkey. 

After the fall of Plevna, the Serbian army joined the 



8 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Russians, Bulgarians and Roumanians, and compelled 
the Turks to evacuate nearly all the occupied territory in 
Serbia. When peace was established, the Russians were 
unwilling to allow Serbia's claims, and at the Berlin 
congress advised Serbia to confer with Austria about 
them. It was therefore through Austria that Serbia 
obtained this desired territory. 

Thereafter, Prince Milan ignored Russia and became 
a real Austrophile, spending more of his time in Vienna 
than in Belgrade. Against popular opinion he started 
war with Bulgaria, but was unsuccessful. This, coupled 
with his treatment of his wife, Natalie, led to his enforced 
abdication in 1889, in favor of his son, Alexander, then 
thirteen years old. 

At seventeen, Alexander declared himself of age and 
began to reign. But he soon lost the good will of both 
Russia and Austria, and after he married the beautiful 
widow of an engineer, eight years older than himself, he 
had few friends left. June 11, 1903, he and his wife 
were brutally murdered in the palace at Belgrade by a 
body of officers. After his death, the National Assembly 
selected as king, Peter Karageorgevitch, grandson of the 
first leader against the Turks, who is the present ruler.* 

The Bulgarians came from Eastern Asia in the fifth 
century, mingling with the Huns up to the seventh 
century, and later with the Avars and the Slavs. They 
first settled on the Volga River, but being progressive 
and desirous of expansion, they moved southwest and 
created a new settlement on the north of the Black 
Sea, which was known as Black Bulgaria. 

Early in the seventh century, under Prince Kubrat, 

*King Peter died in August, 1921. 



EARLY HISTORY OF BALKAN NATIONS 9 

their territory was extended from the Volga to the 
Danube, but after his death it was divided, his two sons 
each ruling a portion. One division was established in 
Paunonia until the arrival of the Magyars, toward the 
end of the ninth century, and the other for a time in 
Bessarabia, whence the majority later moved south, 
although some remained, and their descendants live 
there at the present time. 

In 660, Aspanikh, one of Kubrat's sons, captured 
Varna from the Greeks, and in 679 his territory extended 
from the Danube to the Balkan range. In the subse- 
quent fusion with the Slavs, the original Bulgarian 
language was lost, being superseded by the present 
tongue, which is almost wholly Slavonic, with the 
inclusion of some Turkish words. 

From the beginning of their occupation of this 
territory, there was enmity between them and the 
Greeks, and for two hundred years war was frequently 
waged between the two countries, but when the Arabs 
attempted seizure of Constantinople, they combined in 
successful resistance to the invaders. At the end of 
the eighth century, the Bulgarians, under Krum, over- 
came the Avars. Krum was then made king, and 
under his rule the Bulgars north and south of the Danube 
were united in one kingdom, law and order established, 
commerce and agriculture stimulated, and the country 
made prosperous. In 809 he wrested Sofia from the 
Greeks, and that city is the Bulgarian capital to-day. 

Christianity was adopted by the Bulgars imder 
King Boris, who endeavored to establish a church 
independent of the Greeks. For a while the country 
was under the sway of Rome, due to the efforts of two 
bishops sent to Bulgaria by Pope Nicolas I. Under 



10 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Adrian II, the next ruler, the church was directly under 
the Bishop of Constantinople. 

King Boris united the different Slavic tribes so 
that his kingdom included parts of Macedonia, Serbia 
and Roumania. His son Simeon retained all this, and 
added to it Thrace and the remainder of Macedonia, 
and under his successor. King Samuel, the kingdom 
attained its greatest expanse. This is called the golden 
period of Bulgarian histor^^ 

Bulgaria was conquered during the reign of the 
Greek emperor Basil II, and for one hundred and fifty 
years the country was under Byzantine domination. 
In 1186, under Czars Assen and Kaloyan, Bulgaria 
revolted and regained her independence. Conditions 
steadily improved, and under Assen II, at the beginning 
of the thirteenth century, Bulgaria was prosperous and 
happy. But after his death, she was conquered by 
Serbia and annexed to that country. With the dis- 
astrous defeat of Serbia on the field of Kosovo the Turks 
came into control, and in 1393 all the Balkanic states 
were under the tyrannous dominion of Turkey. 

In common with the other Balkan peoples, the lot 
of the Bulgarians was misery beyond expression. Con- 
ditions of the infamous Turkish rule were known to the 
European nations, but for centuries no effort was made 
to halt or even mitigate the horrible cruelty. This 
apparent apathy was due to political reasons, each 
nation fearing possible advantage to another through 
territorial changes, and no such change could be made 
satisfactory to all the political powers concerned. 

So the Turks were allowed to pursue their policy 
of annihilation of all who would not adopt the Turkish 
faith in place of their own, and unhappy Bulgaria suf- 




King Carol of Roumania 



EARLY HISTORY OF BALKAN NATIONS 11 

fered without hope until 1877, when Czar Ferdinand II 
of Russia made war on Turkey for the liberation of 
the Balkan nations. With the Russian army were 
those of Roumania and Bulgaria, and after the fall 
of Plevna, the Serbians also joined. Turkey was forced 
to capitulate, and Bulgaria was declared an independent 
state, with territory located between Constantinople, 
Adrianople, Chalcidice and Salonika. 

But again there was dissatisfaction, through fear of 
the ascendancy of Russian influence in the Balkans; 
and other nations, England and Germany particularly, 
decreed that northern and southern Bulgaria should 
have autonomy under a Christian governor appointed 
by the Porte. Macedonia was left to Turkey, and 
Dobrudja given to Roumania. 

After the liberation of Bulgaria, the first ruler, 
elected in 1879, was Prince Alexander of Battenberg, 
nephew of the Empress of Russia. In September, 1885, 
he proclaimed the union of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia, 
an act of great popularity with the people but not 
approved by Russia and Austria. Influenced by these 
latter countries, King Milan of Serbia made war on 
Bulgaria, the pretext being that Serbia was entitled to 
share in Bulgaria's territorial aggrandizement. But even 
the Serbians were not in sympathy with the attitude of 
their ruler, and they were easily defeated. They could 
not understand why people of the same religion should fight. 

On August 21, 1886, some officers who were Russo- 
philes forced Prince Alexander to resign, and they 
conducted him to Reni, in Bessarabia, whence he pro- 
ceeded to Lemberg. But many Bulgarians objected, 
and a revolution headed by Stambulov, a prominent 
diplomat, resulted in returning Prince Alexander to 



12 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Sofia on September 3, when he received a great ovation. 
However, Czar Alexander III of Russia forced him to 
abdicate, and September 7, 1886, he left Bulgaria for 
the last time, dying in 1893. 

Stambulov, who was made president of the Sobranje 
in 1884, held the reins of government from 1886 to 1894. 
He was very capable but had great personal ambition, 
and his unscrupulous methods and tyranny made him 
very unpopular. He was succeeded by Prince Ferdinand 
of Saxe-Coburg, the present Czar. 

According to their traditions, the Roumanians, at 
the beginning of the second century, occupied the terri- 
tory between the rivers Dniester, Tissa and Danube, 
then known as Dacia. At this time the Romans entered 
the country. In the third century, the country was 
ovemm by the wild tribes, first the Goths, and then 
the Huns and Avars, and the Dacians retired to the 
mountains of Transylvania. In the sixth and seventh 
centuries, the Slavs entered the Balkan Peninsula by 
way of Dacia. 

At the end of the eighth century, the Hungarians 
occupied the territory between the rivers Tissa and 
Danube, and for many years after there was warfare 
between them and the Roumanians, terminating in the 
partial subjugation of the latter. The Roumanians 
were, however, granted autonomy for about three 
hundred years, and the two nations were at peace until 
religious dissension caused a renewal of hostilities. In 
the early part of the fourteenth century the Hungarians 
were successively defeated by forces under leadership of 
Prince Basarab I, of Walachia, and Prince Bogdan of 
Moldavia, and the Roumanians gained independence. 



EARLY HISTORY OF BALKAN NATIONS 13 

Toward the end of the sixteenth century, Transyl- 
vania, Walachia and Moldavia were united under the 
rule of one of the best loved of the Roumanian kings, 
Michel the Brave, but Transylvania was retaken by the 
Hungarians and held by them under oppressive rule 
during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. At 
the time of the conquest of the Balkan states by Turkey, 
at the end of the fourteenth century, Walachia was also 
beset by the Hungarians and Germans, and for protec- 
tion King Mirtcha entered into an alliance with the 
Poles, in which Moldavia joined later, and the combined 
forces of the three defeated the Germans in 1422. 

Dear to all the Roumanians is the name of Stephen 
the Great, held to be the foremost of their kings. He 
successfully led his people against all their enemies, 
including Tartars, Poles and Hungarians, and achieved 
his greatest victory in the defeat of the Turkish army 
in 1475. Later the Turks sent an army of 200,000 
under Mahomed II, the conqueror of Constantinople, 
but during the life of Stephen, this great force was unable 
to gain any lasting advantage. But after his death, 
the Turks overcame the Roumanians, and for two 
hundred years thereafter held them in a condition of 
miserable bondage. 

At the end of the sixteenth century, the Roumanian 
prince, Michel the Brave, led his people to victory over 
the Turks and liberated his country. All the Roumanian 
people were then united, so Michel was ruler over 
the territory now known as Great Roumania. He 
adopted the title of Prince of Walachia, Transylvania 
and Moldavia. He was murdered in 1601, but is still 
regarded as one of the best loved princes of Roumania. 

After his death, the Turks again gained control, and 



14 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

treated the people with great cruelty up to the beginning 
of the eighteenth century, when Prince Constantine 
Brancovanu of Walachia and Prince Demetrius Cantemir 
made a treaty with Russia. But Peter the Great, of 
Russia, was defeated by the Turks, and while the Prince 
of Moldavia escaped to Russia, Prince Brancovanu was 
captured and taken to Constantinople, where he, his 
sons and son-in-law were beheaded. For several years 
thereafter, the Turks sent Greek emissaries to Roumania 
to collect the tribute imposed, and these treated the 
Roumanians with great injustice. They also established 
Greek as the court language in Roumania, and this 
continued in use up to 1857. 

In 1775, Austria took from Roumania the northern 
part of Moldavia, which was afterwards known as 
Bucowina. In 1812, by the terms of a treaty between 
Turkey and Russia, the latter acquired the territory of 
Bessarabia, which was taken from the Roumanians. 
In 1821 a revolution broke out in Moldavia and Walachia, 
which resulted in compelling the Turks to withdraw the 
Turkish and Greek rulers, and in their place substitute 
members of the Roumanian nobility. Naturally these 
latter did all in their power to improve the condition of 
their countrymen. Another revolution took place in 
1848, but nothing was gained by it. 

After the Crimean war in 1856, Roumania was put 
under protection of the great powers, established at the 
Paris Congress, and Bessarabia was returned to her. 
In 1858 the Paris Congress permitted the union of 
Moldavia and Walachia, but required that they have 
separate rulers. Nevertheless, a year later, Alexander 
Jon Cuza was elected to rule over both countries. With 
the aid of France, this amalgamation eventually gained 



■,.''r^^ s^as-^i 




Roumanian Residence in Bucharest 




American Legation in Bucharest 



EARLY HISTORY OF BALKAN NATIONS 15 

recognition, and in 1861 the first Roumanian parliament 
met. 

A new era for Roumania began with the reign of 
Prince Cuza. Sound laws were promulgated, agrarian 
reforms instituted, schools erected, education was made 
free and the welfare of the common people was given 
due consideration. After the abdication of this prince, 
Roumania elected, by plebiscite. Prince Charles of 
HohenzoUem Sigmaringen. 

He augmented the work begun by Prince Cuza and 
the country prospered. He organized the army which 
aided the Russians in the war with Turkey for the 
liberation of the Balkan states. For her participation 
Roumania again received Dobrudja, which had been 
taken from her by the Turks in the fifteenth century, 
but on the other hand, Russia deprived her of Bessarabia, 
claiming this as her just reward, it being the only territory 
bordering on her own. 

However, Roumania gained her independence, and 
was recognized as a kingdom in 1880. The loss of 
Bessarabia rankled, and in 1887 Roumania made a treaty 
with the triple alliance of Germany, Austro-Hungary 
and Italy. This action was much criticized, but the Rou- 
manian heads of state were certain it would result bene- 
ficially to their country. After the second Balkanic 
war, Roumanians territory was increased by the addition 
of Silistria, received from Bulgaria, and secured to her 
by the treaty of Bucharest. On the south this territorv 
adjoined Dobrudja, already in her possession. 

Since the year 1878, all the Balkan States had been 
free, with the exception of Macedonia. In 1912, news- 
papers throughout the civilized world were printing 

2 



16 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

frequent accounts of great atrocities committed by the 
Turks, and many were advocating the liberation of 
Macedonia, in which the conditions were most horrible. 

But as similar conditions had existed and had been 
known to the European powers for centuries, with no 
attempt on their part to alleviate the misery, the four 
Balkan States, Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece and Montenegro, 
united in a war on Turkey to set the Macedonians free. 
Among themselves they made an agreement whereby 
Greece was to annex the southern portion of Macedonia 
and Albania, Serbia was to receive the northern portion 
of these two countries, with the port of Durazzo, and 
Bulgaria was to take over the central part of Macedonia. 

The Turkish hold was broken, but before the division 
of territory could be effected, Austro-Hungary inter- 
vened with a note stating she would not consent to the 
partition of Albania. This was very disappointing to the 
conquerors, especially to Serbia, for that country stood 
in great need of a seaport to afford shipping outlet for 
her surplus grain and hogs, particularly the latter. As 
the other Balkan states raised enough for their own 
requirements, the only market the Serbians could supply 
was the Austro-Hungarian. The latter was therefore 
in position to dictate terms, and in consequence the poor 
Serbian farmers received very small returns. It was to 
remedy this condition and better themselves that they 
were always longing for an ocean port through which 
they could sell their products in the world's open market, 
and the] felt that the objection to the division of Albania 
was wholly for the purpose of depriving them of such a 
port. 

The action of Archduke Ferdinand, who interposed 
the objection to the division of Albania, embittered the 



EARLY HISTORY OF BALKAN NATIONS 17 

Serbians, and some of the students vowed vengeance. 
The Serbian government then proposed that the 
matter of division of territory should be left to the 
decision of the Czar of Russia, but just as the Bul- 
garian Prime Minister was about to take passage from 
Varna to Petrograd, he was notified by his government 
that it had been decided not to wait for the Czar's deci- 
sion, but to proceed at once to take over the territory 
which had been assigned to them under the agreement. 

Their contention was that there had been no opposi- 
tion to their award, the objection having been only to 
the division of the country which Greece and Serbia 
intended to share, in which they had no interest. But 
the Greeks and Serbians were in possession of the terri- 
tory, and as they refused to give it up, Bulgaria started 
a war to gain possession. She was opposed by Serbia, 
Greece, Montenegro and Roumania, and was easily 
defeated. The last named country took part against 
Bulgaria, because of her disappointment in not receiving 
anything as a reward for her neutrality in the first 
Balkanic war. 

Under the treaty of Bucharest, following this war, 
Bulgaria was obliged to cede Silistria to Roumania, receiv- 
ing in exchange only a part of Thrace, a territory on the 
JEgean Sea, with the port of Dedagach. Because of this, 
the Bulgarians cherished animosity, and waited an oppor- 
tunity for revenge. Their ruler thought this opportunity 
was at hand when the early successes of the Germans and 
Austrians tempted him to cast the lot of Bulgaria with 
theirs, into the maelstrom of the World War. 



CHAPTER II 

APPOINTED MINISTER TO THE BALKANS — ASSUMING 

CHARGE OF THE LEGATION — RECEPTIONS AND 

CEREMONIES 

OCTOBER 16, 1913, I left Chicago for my post as 
" Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary 
to Roumania, Serbia and Bulgaria," with headquarters 
at Bucharest. 

Heartened and stimulated by the good wishes and 
assurances of moral support of the thousands of friends 
who had feted me ere my departure, I nevertheless had a 
vague feeling of disquietude, perhaps a foreshadowing of 
the mighty events to come. Naturally, I was keenly 
appreciative of the high honor confenred upon me, but 
far above this was the realization of my responsibility 
to the government and to the American people, and of 
the trust reposed in me by the President and my many 
friends. 

On shipboard I prepared my speeches for delivery 
when presenting my credentials to the respective sover- 
eigns of the three monarchies. In these were expressed 
not only the customary assurances of esteem and the 
desire to maintain and augment the existing cordial 
relations, but also the intent to exert every possible 
effort to stimulate and extend commercial relations which 
would be beneficial to each country. 

Owing to illness throughout the voyage of my private 
secretary, it was necessary for me to write the speeches 
in longhand. Perhaps this slower method afforded 
greater latitude for deliberation, but I was far less 
concerned with the wording of the speeches than I was in 

18 




Royal Palaca in Sofia 




lit 



III lltl 




The Black Mosque in Sofia 



APPOINTED MINISTER TO THE BALKANS 19 

determining the policy and course to be pursued in repre- 
senting my country and espousing the cause of justice 
at all times. Of course it was impossible to forecast 
conditions that might become existent, or emergencies 
that might arise, but it was my unalterable decision 
that in no circumstances would I be guilty of misrepre- 
sentation. This policy may seem at variance with 
popular conception of diplomatic tactics, but these 
memoirs will show the prudence of such a course. 

It took a little time to become accustomed to the 
usual title of "Excellency," which from the first was 
freely used on shipboard, but after the receptions given 
me in Bremen-Hafen, Bremen and Berlin, it became 
evident that popular belief fully sanctioned its usage. 

Extreme cordiality was manifested in each of these 
three cities, but my reception in Prague was glorious, 
and aroused in me most intense emotion. And this 
feeling was shared by all who welcomed me, for aside 
from their respect for my official position and the welcome 
to be accorded the representative of a country known to 
be the champion of liberty and justice, was the realization 
that one of their own blood had been sent to them. For, 
although I had been an American citizen thirty-three 
years, I was born in Bohemia and these people knew I 
could understand and sympathize with them. 

A touring car and carriage were placed at my disposal, 
public buildings were bedecked with flags, and the most 
prominent societies of Bohemia cabled messages of 
thanks to the President of the United States. These 
demonstrations of satisfaction were evidently displeasing 
to the Austrian government, as on the ninth day of my 
stay in Prague, I received a cable from Washington 
requesting me to make no more speeches there, lest the 



20 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

populace become over enthusiastic and race troubles 
incited. I therefore made my excuses and proceeded at 
once to Bucharest. 

From the days of my youth, I had always been 
deeply interested in the history of the Balkan States, 
especially during the period of over four hundred years 
of Turkish misrule, when their burdens were at all times 
heavy, and the suffering often horrible. Now I was to 
see and understand the people and conditions. 

On November 11, 1913, I arrived in Bucharest, 
finding the American Legation office under the temporary 
direction of the American Charge d'Affaires. The offices 
occupied the first and second floors of a substantial 
building, which had been rented by our government 
during the preceding eleven years, and in that time 
had been tenanted by seven of our ministers to Roumania. 

First, the conventional formalities had to be followed. 
According to custom, although the duly accredited 
United States Minister, I could not confer officially with 
my colleagues until I had been received and acknowledged 
by the king. The first step was to call on the dean of the 
diplomatic service, and request him to notify the Marshal 
of the Court of my arrival, and ascertain from him when 
the official reception could take place. The king being 
at his summer home in Sinaia, the information could 
not be given immediately, but later I was notified to 
present myself on the 27th of November. 

On that day, two gilded carriages arrived at the 
Legation, and Colonel Baranga, aide of the king, 
entered my office and very ceremoniously invited me 
to accompany him to the royal palace. We rode in 
the first carriage, and the secretary and military attache 
in the second. Arriving at the palace, the carriages 



APPOINTED MINISTER TO THE BALKANS 21 

paraded slowly before a troop of cavalry that acted as 
guard of honor, the royal band playing a Roumanian 
march, which abruptly ceased as I stepped from the 
carriage, and in its stead I heard the strains of "The Star 
Spangled Banner." 

Within the palace I was first presented to the mem- 
bers of the royal household, including a score of the 
highest military and naval officials, all in dress uniforms 
with rich gold brocade. Then Titus Maiorescu, Presi- 
dent of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign 
Affairs, whose official status corresponds with that of the 
American Secretary of State, conducted me to the king's 
private chambers, where King Carol, with the Crown 
Prince, the present King Ferdinand, and his son. Prince 
Carol, awaited me. 

The king received me very cordially, and after my 
speech of about ten minutes' duration, he responded in 
about the same length of time, and expressed very deep 
friendship for America. He then led me into his private 
office, where we discussed American and Roumanian 
affairs for more than half an hour, after which he per- 
sonally conducted me to the door. 

In the antechamber I joined the secretary and mili- 
tary attache, and we were then conducted to the presence 
of Queen Elisabeth, also known to the world as ** Carmen 
Sylva." With her were the wife of the Crown Prince, 
the present Queen Marie, the Princess Elisabeth, Princess 
Mary, the little Princess lUiana and Prince Nicholai. The 
queen was very gracious and charming and she paid me 
a compliment by expressing pleasure that my country 
had selected not only a good diplomat, but also a good 
business man. Among other things we talked of music, 
for which the queen expressed great love, and she prom- 



22 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

ised me an invitation to all of her special musical soirees. 

After half an hour of conversation, I was permitted 
to present my secretary and military attache, who had 
not been accorded presentation to the king. The audi- 
ence being then terminated, we reentered the carriages, 
while the band played the Roumanian national hymn, 
and were driven to the Legation. I was now full- 
fledged Minister to Roumania, competent to meet all 
other officials. 

I remained in Roumania until the first of the following 
year, going thence through Hungary to Serbia. In Bel- 
grade I was presented to King Peter by Prime Minister 
Pachich. The reception was similar to that in Roumania, 
though the conversation with King Peter was in the 
Serbian and German languages. The audience lasted 
over an hour, but at its conclusion it seemed to me to take 
even longer to remove myself from the presence of 
the king, as the distance to the exit from the great recep- 
tion room was over two hundred feet, and court etiquette 
required that I cover the entire distance going backward 
and bowing. A great crowd witnessed the ceremony, 
there appearing here also much joy among the Serbians, 
being Slavs, that the United States had selected a born 
Slav as her representative. 

In Sofia I was received by Czar Ferdinand of Bul- 
garia, being presented by Prime Minister Genadieff. 
The same formalities were observed as in the preceding 
receptions, with a still larger crowd in attendance. On 
the following day, the newspaper "Mir" printed an 
interview with me in which I expressed a favorable 
impression of the czar, stating truthfully my belief that 
he was a good monarch as he had labored twenty-seven 
years for the education of the Bulgarians. This evidently 




Junction of the Sava and Danube Rivers in Belgrade 




Fortress in Belgrade. View from the Outside 



APPOINTED MINISTER TO THE BALKANS 23 

pleased the czar, as thereafter he was veiy friendly, and 
always gave me prompt audience whenever I came to 
Sofia, an honor not granted to all my colleagues, some of 
whom, I understood, being unable to see him even once 
a year. 



CHAPTER III 

SOME INTIMATE GLIMPSES OF ROYALTY — THE FIRST 
WAR CLOUD 

IN Roumania, on the first of January, their time, or 
January 14 according to our calendar, the great 
mass was read, which was attended by all the royal 
family, the local high officials and the foreign represen- 
tatives. The head of the Roumanian church read the 
mass, and prayed that God preserve the king and his 
family, and keep the existing government in power. 
Mr. Take Jonescu, Minister of Interior, standing next 
to me, whispered in my ear, "This sermon will not do 
us much good because tomorrow we will be deposed and 
a new government will come in." And so it happened. 

Shortly after my return to Bucharest, a commission 
arrived, which had been sent to extend invitations to 
European countries to participate in the San Francisco 
Exposition of 1915. The members informed me that 
thus far they had been unable to obtain audience with 
the monarchs of any countries, or the presidents of 
republics, and I promised them different treatment in 
the Balkans. First Queen Elisabeth received them, 
inviting also the wives of the three members of the 
commission. The queen, as usual, was seated in her 
large armchair, crocheting. She greeted them in a 
very kindly manner, inviting them to be seated, and 
immediately began asking questions about American 
conditions and customs, seeming to be very much 
interested in the answers. 

Then she said she would give each one of the party 
one of the books she had written under the nom de plume 

24 



SOME INTIMATE GLIMPSES OF ROYALTY 25 

of "Carmen Sylva." When the books were brought, 
she discovered the number was insufficient and she 
requested one of the gentlemen of the commission to 
ask Mary, one of the ladies in waiting, to bring another. 
Instead of making this request of the lady in waiting in 
customary court phraseology, he parted the curtain 
dividing the rooms, and imitating the voice of the 
queen, he called, "Mary!" The queen did not seem 
shocked or offended, but laughed heartily. Naturally 
the visitors were delighted by the royal reception. 

Next I presented the commissioners to King Carol. 
As he did not speak English and they did not speak 
German, I had to act as translator. The king informed 
us he could not furnish a special exhibit for the Exposi- 
tion, but w®uld send some things of interest and also 
send a representative. Then we went to Belgrade, but 
could not see King Peter because of his serious illness, 
although his ministers promised that Serbia would 
participate. 

In Sofia, when we arrived at the royal palace by 
appointment, we found the whole royal family awaiting 
us, and each of them shook hands with us in real American 
fashion. The king and his ministers at once agreed to 
furnish a Bulgarian exhibit, and their Sobranje was 
asked to appropriate 300,000 to 600,000 leva to defray 
expenses. Then followed the usual questions about 
American affairs, and particularly about the Panama 
Canal. Commissioner Calvin B. Brown gave a com- 
prehensive account of the canal, to which close attention 
was paid. 

The king spoke with pride of a complete railroad 
train, a present from ex-president Cleveland, which was 
then in operation between the station and the summer 



26 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

palace at Vrana, saying that he and his sons frequently 
ran it. Over three hours were spent with the royal 
family that evening, and by invitation the commission 
lunched with the king the next day, he obligingly having 
the Oriental Express held one hour until the luncheon 
was finished. Each member of the commission was 
given an autographed photograph of the king. 

April 2, 1914, I was informed that the Queen of 
Bulgaria wished to visit America, and as it was imme- 
diately after the second Balkan war, our State Depart- 
ment deemed it advisable for me to ascertain her plans 
and consult with her. I remained in Sofia a month, 
during which time she made and remade plans. First, 
she intended to go as her royal self, then she decided to 
go incognito. Her passage had been engaged for May 21, 
and she had bought many valuable presents for the 
president, cabinet officers, prominent citizens and Bul- 
garian sympathizers. Her escort, consisting of a secre- 
tary, tutor and fourteen attendants, had also been 
engaged. 

I informed her that all America would doubtless be 
glad to see her. She intended to appear in public 
gatherings, and to shake hands with everyone who 
wished to greet her, but I explained that this would be 
highly imprudent, as there were many enemies of Bul- 
garia in America, and some would be likely to offend 
her and possibly inflict bodily injury. Our State Depart- 
ment was somewhat fearful of unpleasant happenings 
during her visit. Also at that time there was some 
uneasiness in America over the Mexican situation. 

After I had made these explanations, the queen 
asked if it would be better to defer her visit. I could 
not well advise her officially, but gave it as my indi- 




Czarina Eleonora of Bulgaria 



SOME INTIMATE GLIMPSES OF ROYALTY 27 

vidual opinion that such would be the wiser course. 
She then decided to postpone the visit for six months, 
which was fortunate, as owing to the outbreak of the 
war she would have been obliged to remain in America 
for a considerable period. 

I was present at the first meeting of the Sobranje 
after the second Balkanic war was lost by the Bulgarians. 
Out of two hundred members of the Sobranje, thirty-seven 
were socialists, and when the royal family appeared in 
the Parliament and the king began his address, these 
socialists and others hooted, called on him to stop, and 
reviled him with gross epithets. The king eventually 
finished the address, but the disturbance was so great 
that no one understood what he said. 

I had audience with the queen that evening, who 
was very downhearted, but I succeeded in consoling her 
considerably by telling her that in America even the 
highest type of men, when candidates for election to 
public offices, are bitterly assailed and reviled in cam- 
paigns, both in speeches and in print, and I cited the 
case of one of our presidential candidates, who suffered 
most grievous attacks before election, but who, after 
taking office, was held in highest esteem. I said she 
could in no way be considered responsible for the war 
loss, and assured her of the love of her people because 
of her many good deeds. She seemed comforted, and 
ordered tea and cigarettes for us both. It was my first 
cigarette, but I could not well decline the honor and 
allow the queen to smoke alone. 

Several days after my official presentation to the 
King of Bulgaria, the queen invited me to visit with 
her the hospitals and barracks where wounded soldiers 
and the poor were housed. At that time Bulgaria had 



28 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

140,000 refugees. In Sofia, 8,700 were living on bread 
alone. All these were entirely dependent on charity. 
I saw one small room occupied by forty persons, includ- 
ing two women who had given birth to children there. 
The queen was then organizing a new society to aid the 
unfortunates and she asked me to accept the presidency 
of it. I suggested that she be president and let me 
be vice-president, and we would appeal to America for 
help. This appeal brought over $75,000. 

Returning to Bucharest, on June 28 I attended the 
races, which are held every Sunday during the summer. 
All members of the royal family were there, and that 
afternoon the king received a telegram announcing the 
murder of Archduke Ferdinand at Serajevo, Bosnia. 
The news was received with deep concern, and the king 
and all the diplomats immediately left the races. King 
Carol declared that the assassination would lead to a 
world war. 

On July 12, 1914, I went to Belgrade to attend the 
Royal Ball, in honor of King Peter's namesday, but on 
arrival found the city draped in black instead of the 
national flags, because of the death the previous day of 
the Russian Minister Hartwig. The assistant secretary 
of the Serbian Foreign Office informed me that he had 
died suddenly while visiting the Austrian Minister, and 
that owing to his well known sympathies and regard 
for the Serbians, he was held in high esteem by them. 
He said that ugly rumors were then afloat that Hartwig 
met death at the hands of the Austrian Minister, but 
after examination and depositions, it was pronounced 
the result of an apoplectic stroke. 

The next day the national flags replaced the black 
ones. The namesday celebration was conducted in a 



SOME INTIMATE GLIMPSES OF ROYALTY 29 

subdued manner, excepting the horse racing in the after- 
noon, and the dances later in the pubHc park. That 
morning. Crown Prince Alexander gave a reception for 
the diplomats and military attaches, at which the 
Austrian Minister was the only disgruntled person. 
He spoke disparagingly to me of the Crown Prince, and 
stated he was uneducated because he could not speak 
English or German, Next day the preliminary funeral 
service was held and on the following day the rites, 
with the city again draped in black, were completed. 
It was the largest funeral ever held in Serbia. 

In the church, when Prime Minister Pachich began 
to speak, the Austrian Minister, standing at my side, 
greatly annoyed me and the rest of the assemblage by 
loudly talking to me, declaring that the speech was 
political agitation against Austria, and likewise assailing 
the French Minister. I was obliged to ask him to go 
to his seat so I could hear the speech. Next day, the 
Austrian Minister telegraphed Vienna that his life was 
in danger in Belgrade and he feared his house would be 
bombed, and that he had been obliged to send his son 
to Semlin, to save his life. It was general belief in Bel- 
grade that the object of this was solely to arouse the 
enmity of the Austro-Hungarian people. 

Before I left for Bucharest I had audience with the 
Serbian prime minister, immediately following a long 
conference he had had with the German and Austrian 
ministers. He told me he had just been informed that 
the Serbian students were to be expelled from the Uni- 
versity of Serajevo, and notwithstanding his earnest 
protest to the Austrian Minister, he believed the threat 
would be carried out. He asked my advice, which I 
could not give officially, but as an individual I expressed 



30 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

the opinion that his wisest course would be to do every- 
thing possible to avert war between Austria and his 
country, stating that their hospitals were then full of 
wounded men from the recent war, and that they were 
in no position to engage in fresh hostilities. He agreed 
with me, stating he would do everything he honorably 
could to avoid war. 

I took the last steamer that left Belgrade before 
the World War began. Three days after my arrival in 
Bucharest, I received telegraphic advice that Austro- 
Hungary had sent an ultimatum to Serbia, threatening 
war unless all her demands were satisfied. As Serbia 
could not in honor comply with the demands, a procla- 
mation of war was issued by Austro-Hungary. Being 
unable to defend Belgrade, the Serbians moved their 
capital to Nish, at the same time issuing mobilization 
orders which called out the last reserves. Similar orders 
were simultaneously issued in Montenegro, the interests 
there being identical with those of Serbia. 

During my last visit to Belgrade, I conversed freely 
with nearly all the representatives of foreign countries. 
Baron Giesl von Gieslingen, the Austrian Minister, and 
Baron von Griesinger, the German Minister, especially 
talked to me about the Serajevo crime, and the Austrian 
Minister stated that Serbia must give full satisfaction 
to Austria for the murder of Archduke Ferdinand. 

I am sure that none of the diplomats in Belgrade 
expected that within a week after the funeral of Mr. 
Hartwig, the late Russian Minister at Belgrade, war 
would be declared by Austria against Serbia. The 
Serbian people themselves were not without expectation 
of war as the Austrian newspapers had threatened them 
continually. Taking everything into consideration and 




On the Way to Samkov, Bulgaria 



SOME INTIMATE GLIMPSES OF ROYALTY 31 

without prejudice, it seems that Austria wanted war 
with Serbia, and that the death of Archduke Ferdinand 
was welcomed as a casus belli. 

The Austrians have for years dominated the Serbian 
markets, but lost nearly all this trade in 1912, upon the 
inception of the war between Turkey and the Balkan 
allies. The Serbians charge that Austria, by the creation 
of the independent state of Albania, is responsible for 
the disruption of the Balkan Alliance. Of course, this 
action was taken by Austria to deprive Serbia of access 
to the Adriatic Sea. The late archduke was the advocate 
of this anti-Serbian policy, and therefore it was no wonder 
that the Serbians did not like him, as he had prevented 
the realization of the nation's dream to own a large port 
on the Adriatic. Austro-Hungary was very jealous of 
greater Serbia, as it had progressed and extended against 
her will. 

The agreement between Austria and Bulgaria, which 
it is claimed was made after Bulgaria's defeat by Greece 
and Serbia, did not halt Serbia, and the friendship be- 
tween this nation and Greece was very much disliked by 
Austria, but the greatest dissatisfaction came when it 
was announced that Greece had made an agreement with 
Serbia regarding the port of Salonika, which was also to 
be a Serbian port on the JEgean Sea, and thus give 
Serbia an outlet to the sea, which Austria had always 
tried to prevent. There was no more chance to stop 
this, and therefore Austria felt very unfriendly not only 
to Serbia but to Greece also. 

On the other hand, the Austrians charge that Russia 
was trying to get a hold on the whole of the Balkan pen- 
insula, including the city of Constantinople, and that 
Serbia was her tool to accomplish this purpose. It 

3 



32 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

seems, therefore, that the Balkan peninsula, which was 
like a volcano ready to erupt at any time, played a large 
role in the world's affairs, because, taking into consid- 
eration the quick action of Germany in joining Austria 
in the war, every intelligent man must realize that this 
new European war was brought about solely in the 
determined effort to attain the supremacy of the world's 
commerce, and thus, in time, absolute world domination. 

The opinion of Lieutenant Miles, our military attache, 
was that, "Austria was anxious to get a strip of land to 
the east of Herzegovina, which in 1912, at the close of the 
Turkish war, was divided by Serbia and Montenegro, 
thus joining the two nations of the same race. It is 
probable that it is this territory which Austria wants, 
both in order to sever Serbia from Montenegro and 
to open the Austrian road to Salonika. Austria also 
undoubtedly hopes that this war will strengthen her hold 
on the Slavonic people of her Empire." I personally 
believed she wanted a great deal more in addition. 

The Bulgarian Minister told me that his government 
was sounding Serbia as to whether she would give up 
part of Macedonia to Bulgaria, and in that way help 
the Triple Entente to get Bulgaria in line and relieve 
Serbia, but that his government had met with flat refusal. 
Serbia was not willing to lose any part of her territory, 
especially part of Macedonia, which is considered one of 
the richest sections of the Balkan peninsula. 

At that time Serbia had between 80,000 and 90,000 
men under the colors, and it was believed her total fight- 
ing strength could not exceed 220,000 men, while that of 
Austro-Hungary was estimated at 5,000,000. The Serbian 
officers generally realized the enormous task before the 
Serbian army, but felt that the war was forced on them 



SOME INTIMATE GLIMPSES OF ROYALTY 33 

and that it would be a finish fight. They believed that 
the patriotic spirit would be aroused to even greater 
pitch than in the Turkish war of 1912, and they relied 
on the intense devotion of the Serbians, and some advan- 
tage to be gained by their intimate knowledge of the 
theatre of war. There was also an element of chance 
in the probable duration of hostilities, which might 
operate to wear out their enemies. 

General Putnik, the Serbian chief of staff during the 
wars of 1912 and 1913, was absent when the crisis occurred 
and was held as a prisoner of war in Budapest. His 
absence deprived the Serbians of his intimate knowledge 
of detail, but on the other hand he was an old man, and 
necessarily lacking in the vigor which was essential at 
that time. Therefore his replacement by General Pavlo- 
vitch may have been advantageous for the Serbian cause. 

Colonel Thompson of the British army was attached 
to the Serbian army in the wars of 1912 and 1913, and 
gained intimate knowledge of the service. Of this he 
says: 

**The raw material of the Serbian army is excellent, 
but good generals are lacking. Putnik is elderly and 
prudent. Yankovitch and Stephanovitch are too old 
for active work. Boyavitch, though in the prime of life, 
does not exert himself as he might. Only once in the 
sixteen days did he visit the troops under his command. 
The nearest unit was three hours distance by motor, and 
six hours by horse. The division commanders, Sturm, 
Tershitch and Marinovitch, are highly thought of, and 
deservedly so, but they are too junior in rank. Colonel 
Pavlovitch is by universal consent the man to whom 
most of the credit for the victory of the Bregalnica is due. 
The Serbian infantry soldier is very careful with his aim. 



34 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

The maximum number of rounds fired by any one man 
in 24 hours was only 80. During the Turkish campaign 
only 12,000,000 rounds were fired altogether by an army 
of 180,000 infantry soldiers. 

"It is difficult to overpraise the Serbian infantry. 
They are brave, enduring, obedient, good-tempered, 
and can live on next to nothing under conditions which 
would appal the average Britisher. Attacks are some- 
times made without officers, but though illiterate, the 
private soldier has a fund of common sense which enables 
him to do the right thing when acting independently. 
It may be said without exaggeration that there is no 
position which the better divisions of the Serbian army 
will not assault, provided they have good artillery 
support, but this is essential since the infantry have an 
almost superstitious reverence for artillery fire. 

"The greatest deficiency in the Serbian army at 
present is in war material. Two weeks ago, the Austrian 
military attache at Belgrade estimated that there were 
only 150,000 rifles in good condition in the country. 
The Serbians have received absolutely no war material 
since the war of last July, but they have the port of 
Salonika, in the hands of their friends the Greeks, behind 
them. An overwhelming success of Austro-Hungary 
would threaten the Greeks in Salonika, and for this 
reason the Serbians can probably count on getting 
supplies through Greek territory." 

Toward the conclusion of the 1913 war, Serbia was 
calling to arms all men from twenty to fifty-five years 
of age, which brought from 50,000 to 80,000 additional 
men. These were each given a franc, a cap and a rifle, 
and told to go to it. They looked like bands of tramps, 
coming to the front, but they made excellent soldiers. 




Queen Elisabeth 
"Carmen Sylva" of Roumania 



CHAPTER IV 

EARLY SERBIAN TRIUMPHS ON BATTLEFIELDS — 
RAVAGES OF SICKNESS 

AT the beginning of the World War, Bucharest 
became the most important point in the Balkan 
peninsula, because Roumania was neutral and sur- 
rounded by belligerent countries. As our government 
had consented to take care of German and Austro- 
Hungarian interests in Serbia, I was instructed to take 
charge. All letters, telegrams and money had to be trans- 
mitted from the countries at war through Roumania. 
Consequently all belligerent countries had representatives 
there. From the outset, none of the countries were 
prepared to take care of the great number of prisoners 
taken. I was receiving telegrams from the Serbian 
government that the Austrians were making prisoners 
not only of soldiers, but also of every civilian Serbian 
they could take, women and children included. On the 
other hand. Count Czernin, the Austro-Hungarian Min- 
ister, complained to me that the Serbians were pursuing 
the same course with their people. Reports were fur- 
nished me of the result of battles, by the American 
military attache. Colonel Sherman Miles, who was with 
the Serbian army, and also from Austro-Hungarian 
sources. These reports conflicted very much with the 
ones published in the newspapers. 

For instance, in the first battle in Schabatz, the 
Austro-Hungarians announced that they took ten thou- 
sand prisoners, and the Serbians claimed four thousand, 
but the fact was that the Austrians retreated without 
any prisoners, leaving many guns and much ammunition 

behind them. 

35 



36 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

At the end of November, 1914, the situation in Serbia 
was very gloomy. For nearly four months the Serbian 
army was successful in fighting the Austro-Hungarian 
forces, but about mid-November it was short of ammuni- 
tion, and some of it sent by the other Powers was not 
fit for their rifles, and I was told that this was one of the 
reasons for vacating Valjevo. The second reason, in 
my opinion, was a superior force of three army corps of 
Austrians and German soldiers which had just recently 
been sent on the Serbian front. 

About the last of the month the Russians succeeded 
in forwarding over the Danube River to Serbia, enough 
ammunition for some time to come. 

The American Consulate in Belgrade reported the 
transfer of Austrian prisoners from Belgrade to other 
points in Serbia, which action would indicate that there 
might be danger of Serbia losing Belgrade. 

The main difficulty for the Serbians was that they 
could not use their whole army against the Austrians, 
as it was necessary for them to keep at least 50,000 
soldiers on the Bulgarian frontier to protect the parts of 
Macedonia now called New Serbia. 

Bucharest became a clearing house for the belligerent 
countries. The number of prisoners of war greatly 
increased the volume of correspondence, and as the 
Red Cross society was not yet in the field, all this work 
and the necessary relief measures had to be performed 
by our Legation. It was necessary for me to read all 
the correspondence to prevent any information being 
transmitted by spies. Always after a big battle, many 
telegrams in many languages were received by me, and 
these required investigations and answers. One message 
I received read as follows: ''Please let me know 



SERBIAN TRIUMPHS ON BATTLEFIELDS 37 

whether my son Charles is alive or dead. I have already 
lost four sons in the war. My wife became crazy in 
consequence of it and I shall take my life if my last 
son is dead." 

I ascertained that his last son had died of wounds 
received in battle, but I did not have the heart to send 
any answer to the poor old man. 

There were many cases of separation of families and 
particularly loss of children. The latter caused deepest 
distress. Every effort was made to reunite the separated 
although each case involved much labor and thought. 
In one instance, the wife of the chief of the Austro-Hun- 
garian railways was in Paris when war was proclaimed, 
and she was interned there for several months. When 
she was released she came to Roumania. When she 
left home, her children were with the governess at her 
home in Galicia, but after the arrival of the Russians, 
all trace of the children was lost. After much investi- 
gation I learned that the governess had a sister in Kiev. 
I then evoked the aid of our consul in Odessa, request- 
ing him to send a special messenger to Kiev. This was 
done, and the children were found there, living in great 
misery. I then obtained permission from the Russian 
authorities to have the children brought to Roumania, 
and it was my pleasure to restore them to their mother. 

Naturally, in such exciting times, addresses would be 
inaccurate or incomplete, and in many cases the official 
records were in such poor condition as to afford very 
little assistance. Frequently money would be sent to 
me for certain prisoners without any advice as to where 
they were or even to what regiment they belonged. 

All this required much patient effort, but in the end 
practically all tangles were straightened out. The money 



38 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

destined to Serbian points had to be sent by messengers 
to Nish, the new capital of Serbia, where the distribu- 
tion had to be made by the American consulate to the 
different military posts. Similar procedure was required 
for remittances to Hungary, where our consul-general 
represented the Serbian interests. 

Another matter which required considerable time 
and attention was the plight of many people arriving 
from Russia. In every case these were halted on the 
border, and both men and women were disrobed, and 
any money or valuables found were taken from them by 
the Russian frontier authorities. A maximum of five 
hundred rubles was allowed to be retained. This small 
sum was wholly inadequate even for immediate needs. 
Nearly all these victims made protests to me when they 
arrived in Bucharest, but all I could do was to report 
to my government. 

One of my first efforts after the outbreak of the war 
was to arrange for the exchange between the belligerents 
of the women, children and old men. This was finally 
agreed upon to include all the women and young girls, 
the men over fifty-seven years of age and the boys of 
sixteen and under. The Serbian government consented 
at once to this agreement, and the Germans accepted 
the terms and made the exchange within two months, 
but it required over five months to complete exchanges 
with Austria-Hungary. 

In 1914, good fortune in the war seemed to attend 
the Serbians, but that was due largely to the devotion 
of the Serbian soldiers, who gave no thought to them- 
selves individually but considered only the cause of their 
country. Their endurance of privation was marvelous. 
At night, hundreds of them could be seen sleeping around 




Main Street in Belgrade 




Street Scene in Belgrade 



SERBIAN TRIUMPHS ON BATTLEFIELDS 39 

the depot or on the hard stone pavements of the street, 
and yet in the morning their activity and fresh appearance 
would indicate perfect repose. Give the Serbian soldier 
bread and an onion, and he is satisfied. For days at a 
time, he requires no better food. 

On December 20, I received a fresh complaint of 
ill treatment of Austro-Hungarian prisoners in Serbia. 
Therefore I went thither to investigate this matter as 
well as to attend to the distribution of gifts from the 
American children to the Serbian children, which arrived 
at Salonika on the "Chicago Herald's" Christmas ship. 

My wife and daughters accompanied me on the trip 
to Nish. At night no heat or light was provided in the 
cars, to avoid revealing the train to the enemy, but 
nevertheless the sparks from the wood used in the 
engines furnished a very distinct target, which frequently 
drew a hail of Austro-Hungarian bullets. We escaped 
uninjured and arrived in Nish on the following day. 

During this day, more than 20,000 Austro-Hungarian 
prisoners arrived there, among whom were about ten 
thousand Slavs. The city was full of refugees who 
came from all parts of Serbia, and there was no place 
for the prisoners except in the gardens and in the parks. 
Some of the prisoners of war were allowed to walk the 
streets imguarded. I fully understood that the city 
had not adequate facilities to provide for so many 
prisoners, but nevertheless I required the Prime Minister 
to give them shelter. He at once agreed to empty all 
the warehouses and turn them into quarters for the war 
prisoners. 

Some of the new prisoners informed me that they 
had had nothing but indigestible dried corn to eat for 
the last four days, and they were both hungry and 



40 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

thirsty. I demanded from the Prime Minister a suffi- 
ciency of food for them, and it being two days before 
Christmas, asked him to give them a specially good 
dinner on that day. He promptly agreed, and immedi- 
ately ordered over 700 kettles in which the food could 
be cooked and served. He also promised to provide 
sufficient hospital space for the sick prisoners. On 
Christmas day, the prisoners received soup, rice and 
mutton. This highly pleased all of them, and they 
united in giving credit to the American Minister for the 
unexpected good food. 

Quarters for the soldiers were provided as agreed in 
the old barracks and warehouses, while the officers were 
placed in a building in the park. I spoke to a number 
of these officers of different nationalities, and not one 
of them voiced any complaint. Because of their success 
in the last battles, when they took 40,000 prisoners and 
many guns and other booty, the Serbians generally felt 
very kindly disposed toward their prisoners. 

Before leaving Nish, I distributed all the gifts sent 
by the American children to the Serbian children, for 
which the latter sent their thanks to America. I also 
arranged with the American Consul for the prisoners to 
use the rear room of his consulate for writing. Advan- 
tage was taken of this arrangement to such an extent 
that when I left on the last day of the month, I carried 
with me ten thousand postal cards written by war 
prisoners. These were passed by Serbian censors. 

Then I went to Sofia, and while there endeavored to 
ascertain the sympathies of the people with relation to 
the combatants. It was evident that in numbers they 
were about equally divided. Many people believed 
that if Serbia was defeated by the Austro-Hungarians, 



SERBIAN TRIUMPHS ON BATTLEFIELDS 41 

Bulgaria might be the next victim. It was evident to 
me that the government and the people close to it were 
on the other side, and desired the triumph of Austria. 

Our American consular agent, Mr. Kermektchieff, 
who was a Bulgarian physician, was one of those who 
believed that Bulgaria should side against Russia. He 
had written books on the subject, and when I discovered 
what these books contained, I asked him to hand in his 
resignation, because our country was strictly neutral, 
and we could not have an agent who was agitating for 
either side. He was a well known man, and an intimate 
friend of Czar Ferdinand. One of his brothers was a 
lawyer in Sofia, and another was secretary of the Bulga- 
rian Legation in Rome. The latter married a German 
girl whose parents were part owners of the Hotel Kaiserhof 
in Berlin, and I thought it probable that this brother's 
influence affected our consular agent. After I had 
declared my views as to the proper attitude of our coun- 
try's representatives, I was regarded in Bulgaria as a 
strictly neutral man, with Entente inclinations. 

I returned to Bucharest on the first of January, and a 
few days later received a telegram from Nish that typhus 
exanthematicus had broken out, and that thousands of 
Serbians and a great many of the war prisoners were 
affected. It proved so severe that in less than three 
months over 50,000 people died, which included about 
two-thirds of the Serbian doctors and 15,000 war 
prisoners. 

In the month of March, 1915, I received an unsigned 
telegram from Nish, notifying me that in front of one of 
the hospitals there three hundred bodies were lying, 
which were polluting the air, and that unless they were 
removed at once, many patients at the hospital, among 



42 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

them many prisoners of war, would die from the poison- 
ous effluvium. 

I at once telegraphed to Prime Minister Pachich ask- 
ing him to have the bodies removed. He answered that 
the reason why the bodies were not buried was because 
they did not have enough coffins. I telegraphed back 
to bury the bodies without coffins, which was done, and 
this plan was followed thereafter whenever necessary. 

I asked the Department of State for help from the 
American Red Cross, and that organization responded 
nobly with doctors, nurses and medicines. The French 
and English also rendered great assistance, and at the 
same time Mr. Frothingham of New York organized a 
unit consisting of doctors and nurses, sending them with 
abundant supplies to Uskub, and other near-by places 
in Serbia. 

The Austro-Hungarian government continued to 
complain that its prisoners in Serbia were being mis- 
treated and deprived of food and medical help, and were 
left to die like cattle. As a matter of fact, the Serbian 
government made like complaints to me, almost every 
week, of conditions in Austria. The Austro-Hungarian 
government endeavored to have publicity given to their 
charges in the outer world, and asked that an inter- 
national commission be appointed, consisting of citizens 
of neutral nations, which would immediately investigate 
the Serbian treatment of prisoners of war. They also 
asked that I be made chairman of this commission, with 
the sanction of my government. 

Knowing the conditions existing in both countries, 
and the great lack of facilities for proper care of prisoners, 
I informed the State Department that I did not wish to 
serve on that commission, but the Serbian government 




N. Pachich, Prime Minister of Serbia 



SERBIAN TRIUMPHS ON BATTLEFIELDS 43 

protested it would accept no other chairman. Therefore 
when I received the second request from Washington 
to serve for the sake of humanity, I agreed, but with the 
understanding that I would not go to Serbia for several 
weeks. The other members of the commission were 
Colonel Sola, military attache of the Spanish Legation 
at Bucharest, and Captain Billand of the Swiss army. 

Immediately upon my acceptance, I telegraphed 
Prime Minister Pachich, advising him that the commis- 
sion would arrive at Nish within a few weeks, and request- 
ing that he promptly take all possible steps to improve 
the situation. In the meantime, the American Red 
Cross sent money, nurses and more doctors to Serbia, 
while the Rockefeller foundation sent Dr. Richard Strong, 
the eminent specialist, and seventy sanitary experts. 
Great credit is due Dr. Strong for the prompt application 
of measures which stayed this epidemic. 

It is a pleasure to state that all the units from America, 
England and France worked in perfect harmony for the 
relief of the unfortunate. The value of their work cannot 
be overestimated, as these were terribly dark days for 
the Serbians. They were gaining victories on the battle- 
field, but at home the parents, wives and children were 
dying from typhus and other diseases. 

Before I started on my trip to Serbia as the chairman 
of the International Committee, I received from the 
Austro-Hungarian government a silk uniform intended 
to protect me against lice, but I did not wear it. I 
simply wore silk underwear and silk stockings, with my 
hands in gloves tied to the underwear, which was suffi- 
cient protection. This precaution had to be taken be- 
cause, during the epidemic of typhus exanthematicus, 
the lice carried infection, and they crawled from the foot 



44 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Up to the breast, where they usually settled and poisoned 
a person. On the silk they could not crawl as well as 
on cotton underwear, and they would fall off. The best 
protection, according to expert physicians, was to wear 
silk underwear, and have the hair and neck rubbed with 
petroleum. 

In the meantime the epidemic broke out in Poland, 
where the greatest misery prevailed, and representatives 
of the American Red Cross had to go there to investigate 
conditions. An International Society for Polish Relief 
was organized under the presidency of Mr. James W. 
Gerard, our Ambassador to Germany, and I was made 
one of the vice-presidents. Members of the American 
Red Cross in Bucharest informed me that all supplies 
would have to be bought in Roumania and forwarded 
to Poland from there, and requested me to arrange with 
the authorities for permission to make such shipments. 

The king readily granted my request, stating that 
he was willing that two hundred carloads of grain be 
shipped to Poland every week or two, as long as the emer- 
gency existed there. He assured me of his sympathy 
with the Poles and of his desire to aid, but stipulated that 
I obtain the consent of my colleagues, the Russian, 
English and French Ministers. I insisted that the ship- 
ments and distribution should be in charge of the Ameri- 
can Red Cross. I so advised the members of the Red 
Cross, and telegraphed these conditions to Mr. Gerard 
in order that he might obtain the approval of the German 
and Austro-Hungarian governments. 

My colleagues readily agreed to the proposition, but 
the Austro-Hungarian government balked at the stipu- 
lation that the goods and their distribution should be in 
charge of the American Red Cross. They based their 



SERBIAN TRIUMPHS ON BATTLEFIELDS 45 

objection on their claim that they were donating more 
Hberally than anyone else to the fund, and therefore it 
should be distributed by their own men. I was obliged 
to notify the commission that my colleagues would not 
accept any other conditions than the ones first named, as 
they claimed that the Austrian government would use 
the supplies for the army and not for the civic population. 

Because of the Austrian objection, no shipments 
could be made, and the unfortunate Poles could obtain 
no help except such as was procurable through the 
Scandinavian nations, which made it much more difficult 
to handle, and reduced the supplies to a pitiful amount. 

At the beginning of the war in Serbia, the Austro- 
Hungarians sent airplanes to Nish, and they played 
havoc with the population there. One of the bombs 
exploded about twenty-five feet from the American Con- 
sulate, and the consul, Mr. Young, became very much 
excited and telegraphed me that I should notify the 
Austrian government to give instructions to the aviators 
not to injure the American Consulate or the baby 
hospital. I telegraphed him back: 

"My dear Mr. Consul: Keep cool. Do not get cold 
feet. Everybody in Serbia is looking towards you. Give 
a good example of fearlessness. I notified the Austrian 
government to do as you desired." 



CHAPTER V 

PROOF OF PLOT BETWEEN KAISER WILHELM AND WIFE 
OF ARCHDUKE FERDINAND 

AT the end of March, 1915, I received by special 
messenger, from a reliable source in Bohemia, 
information that on Saturday, the 20th of March, at 
10:30 P.M., three salon cars had arrived in the depot at 
Benesov, in Bohemia, from the middle one of which 
the late Emperor Karl of Austro-Hungary was taken 
and carried to the palace at Konopiste. He had been 
wounded in the right foot on the battlefield at Pilica 
by a bomb or grenade thrown at him and Count 
Lobkovic by a German soldier. 

Emperor Karl was attended by a military physician 
until seven o'clock in the evening of March 22, when, 
following the receipt of a telegram, he was taken from 
Konopiste to the depot in Benesov and carried into a 
government train, which left immediately for an unknown 
destination. Guards were distributed from Konopiste 
to the depot, and a special detective service was organ- 
ized, of twenty soldiers from the barracks in Benesov. 
It was rumored that Zita, wife of the emperor, was in- 
terned. She was not at that time in Konopiste, although 
the children and their teacher were there. 

After the death of Archduke Ferdinand, the late 
Emperor Karl came to Konopiste and took away all the 
correspondence he found in the palace. In this he 
secured proof that Sophie, the wife of Archduke Ferdi- 
nand, had plotted with the Kaiser against Serbia, and 
had discussed plans about the war with Russia. 

46 




■^■- • ^... 



[JUJ^tatT-y lK!^SXx£>WiM.^9!3»iiS^^^£f^' 




American Consulate at Nish 




Serbian Metropolitan and Bishop on the 
Doorsteps of their House in Nish, with 
Minister Vopicka, his Wife and 
Daughter. At the top, the Serbian 
Guide to Mr. Vopicka 



PLOT OF KAISER AND WIFE OF ARCHDUKE 47 

It had been agreed that after the defeat of Serbia, it 
was to be made an Austrian province, and following the 
removal of King Peter, that the throne would be given to 
the eldest son of Ferdinand and Sophie. After the defeat 
of Russia, Ukrainia was to be made independent, with 
their second son as king. 

Kaiser Wilhelm approved of these plans, and the 
action against Serbia was begun with the intention of 
carrying out the designs of Archduke Ferdinand and his 
wife. 

From the beginning of hostilities between Serbia and 
Austro-Hungary, efforts were made to get a definite de- 
claration of the attitude of Bulgaria, but little progress 
was made. When the Sobranje opened in September, 
1915, there were many speeches by leaders of different 
parties, but the keynote of all seemed to be that 
although the Bulgarians were Slavs, they were Bul- 
garians above all else. 

The Prime Minister, Mr. Radosiavoff , made a speech 
containing the following statement: 

"Bulgaria adheres to her neutrality as proclaimed on 
July 21st. There are no complaints that we have broken 
our neutrality, and where questions have arisen, they 
have been satisfied with the explanation given. Although 
the present position is a very difficult one for us to main- 
tain, I shall, supported by the majority of the Sobranje, 
carry out the same policy. We are on the best of terms 
with Roumania, Greece and even Serbia, and sustain 
most sincere relations with Turkey. I also proclaim 
that Bulgaria has her integrity assured, and whether we 
are obliged to come before the Sobranje for more author- 
ity depends entirely upon the attitude of the European 
Powers." 

4 



48 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

I advised the Department of State of the situation, 
expressing the opinion that Bulgaria was tiying to gain 
through diplomacy what she had lost on the battle- 
field during the last year. She was awaiting the develop- 
ments of the war, and, as I was informed, was in daily 
conference with representatives of all the fighting powers. 
She was hoping to secure Macedonia from Serbia, Ka valla 
from Greece and Silistria from Roumania without war. 
Neither of the belligerent parties was willing to promise 
this territory to her, and the other Balkan states, Serbia, 
Greece and Roumania, were decidedly opposed to giving 
her anything. 

It was my opinion, furthermore, that until the war 
situation became very dark for the Triple Entente, nothing 
would be done vv^ith Bulgaria. The Triple Entente would 
not bring pressure to bear upon the above named states, 
which were friendly to her, to make these concessions to 
Bulgaria unless they became absolutely obliged to have 
the support of the latter country. It was also possible 
that if the chances of war should favor Germany and 
Austria, the Bulgarian government, against the will of 
its people, who sympathized with Russia, would join 
them, the Bulgarian government believing that more 
could be obtained from Germany and Austria than from 
the Entente, as Bulgaria was convinced that Russia 
desired to expand Serbia, which would mean that a great 
part of Macedonia then held by Serbia would not go to 
Bulgaria. My prophecy was entirely fulfilled. 

During the period of Russian victories, from October, 
1914, to April, 1915, the Triple Entente was passive, and 
even the representatives of Russia and England, as was 
stated to me by Prime Minister Radoslavoff, declared 
they did not need Bulgaria. But later, with Russia being 



PLOT OF KAISER AND WIFE OF ARCHDUKE 49 

continually defeated and driven back, and the fighting 
chances favoring the Germans and Austrians, Bulgaria 
joined the Central Powers as I had predicted. It is my 
belief that if prior to April, 1915, Bulgaria had been 
offered three counties south of Uskub in Macedonia, 
and had been loaned about 500,000,000 leva, she would 
have remained neutral, or would have joined the Triple 
Entente. Even in the month of May, 1915, Bulgaria 
endeavored to effect a loan from France and England but 
failed to do so. 

Our ex-consular agent in Sofia advised me that the 
Bulgarian government was looking for a loan, and asked 
if it could be obtained in America. I sent a dispatch to 
the Department of State, but received no answer for a 
very long time. From published reports, I understood 
that some concerns in America were considering the loan, 
and I sent to the Department of State a detailed state- 
ment of Bulgaria's finances up to date, but no answer 
being received by June 15, I was notified that Bulgaria 
would wait no longer and that she would try to borrow 
the money in Germany. 

General Marko, very deeply in the confidence of 
Czar Ferdinand, was sent to Germany in July to make 
arrangements for a loan, and it is more than probable 
that the military help of Bulgaria was an important 
part of the consideration. Therefore, from that time 
on I acted on the belief that Bulgaria would sooner or 
later line up with the Central Powers. 

Even on July 1, English representatives showed inter- 
est in the matter, and on July 10, 1915, I suggested to 
the Serbian Prime Minister the possibility that if Serbia 
turned over to Bulgaria the territory south of Uskub, 
the Triple Entente might reimburse Serbia for it. The 



50 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Serbian Parliament discussed the matter, but it proved 
too late for any action. 

At this time Turkey was very short of ammunition, 
and the Germans were trying to get some in through 
Roumania. One day an American, who had been doing 
business in Hungary and Austria for a number of years, 
came to me and said: 

"Germany wants to send ammunition to Turkey. 
There is a good chance for you to make a million dollars 
without any trouble if you will obtain permission from the 
Roumanian government for Germany to send several 
trains of food and provisions to Turkey for the relief of 
the civic population in Constantinople. Of course, half 
of these trains will be loaded with ammunition secretly, 
but you do not need to have any personal knowledge of 
that. You can accept this offer, and it will appear that 
you are doing a great good by sending relief to Turkey. 
The reason why you are selected is because , no other 
minister could obtain ttie permission from the Roumanian 
government but you." 

I told him that I thanked him for his interest in 
me, but not to think for a moment that I would be 
a party to any such arrangement. My country was 
neutral, and I could not under any circumstances aid 
any party at war. I requested him to make no more 
such offers, as it would compel me to sever my friendly 
relations with him. 

He could not understand my refusal to avail myself 
of this opportunity for personal profit, and said I was the 
biggest fool he ever knew, but he clearly understood there 
was to be no further discussion of it. 



4 




Scene near Valjevo, Serbia, after the Battle 

BETWEEN AuSTRO-HuNGARIANS AND vSeRBIANS 




Graves of Serbian Soldiers between Kraljevo and 
Cacak in Serbia 



CHAPTER VI 

CONDITION OF PRISONERS OF WAR IN SERBIA 

^N the 15th of June I arrived at Nish, with Colonel 
Sola and Captain Billand, as members of the Inter- 
national Commission to investigate conditions affecting 
prisoners of war in Serbia. On the 17th, it was arranged 
by the Foreign Office that the commission should be 
placed in the charge of the war department, under the 
direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Schapinac, who owing to 
illness was later succeeded by Commander Gaintch and 
Dr. Lebel Korovic from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 
At this time the Serbian government stated that there 
were 33,000 prisoners of war in Serbia, not including some 
thousands who were employed in private industrial 
works. 

These prisoners were grouped in twelve camps or 
depots, including the one of the officers who were interned 
at Nish, and the Gramada depot, where were grouped a 
number of prisoners working on railroad construction. 
Rules and regulations had been formulated for the treat- 
ment of the prisoners, and the chief of each camp or depot 
was held responsible for the observance of these rules. 
With Lieutenant-Colonel Schapinac, who was in charge 
of all the camps, our commission visited all of Serbia and 
a part of Macedonia which was in Serbian possession. 
The commission finished its work on the 27th of July. 

Many of the prisoners of war in Serbia were employed 
in private undertakings, as for instance, the sugar factory 
in Cuprija; or in public works, such as the construction, 
repair and maintenance of the railroads; in forestry and 
agricultural works, in state administrative work, in 

51 



52 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

military administration, in construction of barracks, in 
hospitals, in bakeries, and in private homes as domestics 
or employees. 

I personally addressed 23,900 men, asking them 
regarding their treatment, and was convinced that the 
Serbian authorities were doing everything possible under 
existing conditions to accommodate and properly care 
for their prisoners of war. All this time typhus was 
epidemic, and there was much other sickness in the 
country. 

There were about 740 officers held in Nish. These 
were interned in the old Turkish barracks, composed of 
two pavilions with an interior court of about 1,500 square 
meters. This was planted with trees, which afforded 
shade, and furnished with tables and benches. The 
officers of higher rank were grouped by twos and fours 
in private rooms. The others were in groups of from 
ten to fifty in large rooms, all of which were properly 
ventilated. Each officer had a bed with a mattress, 
a covering for it, a pillow and a blanket. The linen was 
changed every week. 

For each small group there was an orderly, also a 
prisoner of war. They had four kitchens, one for the 
preparation of food for the Slavs, another for the Hun- 
garians and Croatians, a third for the Germans and a 
fourth for the Czecho-Slovaks. On the day of our visit, 
the Austro-Hungarian menu was, coffee and bread for 
breakfast, soup, roast beef and salad for lunch, and ham 
with vermicelli for dinner. Drinking water was supplied 
from the spring. 

The officers selected and bought their own food, 
receiving an allowance of three dinars per day. They 
were furnished a private slaughter house, and there was 



CONDITION OF PRISONERS OF WAR 53 

a canteen where they could procure at reasonable prices 
such things as preserves, cheese, alcoholic drinks, coffee 
and tobacco. Five per cent of the receipts of the canteen 
was turned over to the Serbian Red Cross. Each officer 
had his own linen and had it laundered in town at reason- 
able prices. The single bad feature the commission 
discovered was that some of the toilets were in unsanitary 
condition. There was an infirmary attended by Serbian 
doctors, and serious cases were sent to the Nish hospitals. 

In the barracks there was a small chamber intended 
as a place of detention, in which there was a good clean 
bed. The rules permitted officers undergoing punish- 
ment three promenades of one hour each per day. The 
officers were privileged to write one postal card per week, 
but no objection was made if they wrote twenty, provided 
they were to different addresses. The officers looked 
very healthy, only they were suffering from lack of 
occupation. Some of them volunteered their services 
in the information office. Some gave their time to 
drawing, painting, or sculpture, and were permitted 
to take views in town. They were also furnished an 
organ, and occasionally gave theatrical performances. 

Four officers had attempted to escape, and in conse- 
quence all the officers were denied the privileges of games, 
promenades, and baths in town, and were required to 
go to bed at seven o'clock, but at the request of these 
officers, I secured restoration of their previous liberty. 

On my return to Bucharest, I endeavored through 
the Austrian Minister to effect an exchange of the invalid 
officers, even offering two colonels who were held in 
Nish in exchange for two Serbian officers of any rank. 
But unfortunately the Austrians did not value their 
colonels very highly, as they paid no attention to the 



54 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

offer. There were six officers who had attempted to 
escape from Bardovac, who were kept incommunicado. 
Under guard they were permitted to exercise twice daily 
outside the building. 

Considering the great misery and hardship prevailing 
throughout Serbia, it was apparent that the Austro- 
Hungarian officers were better off than even the better 
class of the Serbians themselves. 

The treatment of private soldiers and sub-officers 
in every camp, except two, was all that was possible 
for their comfort under existing conditions. In one of 
these cases, we found that the chief of the camp fed the 
prisoners only once a day but charged for two meals, 
appropriating the money for the meal that was not 
served. In the other case, the colonel in charge had 
neglected to give proper medical attention to two hun- 
dred prisoners who were suffering from gangrene. The 
commission demanded court-martial and punishment for 
these two. In some places there were no beds, and 
the prisoners were obliged to lie on the bare floors, and 
in others on straw-filled mattresses, or on piles of straw 
which were provided. Usually the men changed their 
underclothing once a week, most of them doing their 
own washing, but frequently no soap was obtainable, 
which made the work miore difficult. 

In some of the larger camps there were infirmaries 
and hospitals where some of the prisoners acted as attend- 
ants and performed minor duties. There were tailors and 
shoemakers for repair work, and after work was finished 
all were permitted to employ their time as they chose up 
to nine o'clock, the hour of retirement. 

The diet generally consisted of bread and soup, with 
meat about twice a week, but in the camps where they 



CONDITION OF PRISONERS OF WAR 55 

were working they were regularly furnished with meat, 
potatoes, rice, fat, cheese and bacon. The morning meal 
was usually served at six o'clock, consisting of soup, 
smoked meat or bacon, and between six and seven 
o'clock in the evening, soup and meat were served. In 
only two of the very large camps a mid-day meal was 
served, generally consisting of soup made from haricots, 
potatoes and meat. Examination of the first half of 
the camps revealed the fact that no vegetables were being 
served, and I urged that some be included, and if impos- 
sible to get anything else to put grass in their soup, to 
avoid the possibility of scurvy. It greatly surprised me 
to discover that wherever the superintendent of the prison 
was a man selected from among the prisoners, the treat- 
ment was far more harsh and severe than that of the 
Serbians. 

Owing to the large number of prisoners, it was neces- 
sary to use almost anything available for lodgings. Those 
we saw included Turkish palaces, schools, gymnasiums, 
coffee houses, private residences, shops, stables, ordinary 
barracks, field tents, and even railway wagons, but being 
in the summer time, almost any place was suitable, as 
abundance of fresh air was highly desirable. 

In Bardovatch, the prisoners were quartered in an 
old pacha's mansion, and we found that the halls, which 
were very large and airy, were unused, and the prisoners 
were packed like herrings in small rooms where all the 
windows were shut and the air was very offensive. The 
superintendent excused this on the ground that the odor 
from the toilets was so bad they could not allow it to 
enter the rooms. I told them at once to put the pris- 
oners in the large halls, which allowed ample ventilation 
from the other side of the building. Dr. Richard Strong 



56 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

of the Rockefeller mission was with our party, and he 
offered to supervise the sanitation of the toilets. 

When the commission returned to Nish, I asked 
Prime Minister Pachich to arrange an occasional change 
of diet for the prisoners, as there was danger of illness 
resulting from continually eating the same kind of food. 
He agreed with me, and asked the commission to make 
specific recommendations, which was done, and the pris- 
oners were thereafter given variation in their food, which 
was much more acceptable and healthful. 

The greatest hardship for the Austrian soldier was the 
omission of coffee at the morning meal. The Austrians 
were accustomed to coffee from infancy, but as the 
Serbians could not obtain any for themselves, of course 
they could not supply it to the prisoners. We found that 
the prisoners' clothing was generally in very poor condi- 
tion, whereupon the Austrian government expressed its 
willingness to send new uniforms and shoes, although the 
Serbians were then furnishing sandals or opincas to them 
without charge. 

We found some men without any uniforms, but these 
had been sold to obtain money for gambling. In some 
places there was no work for the prisoners, and in other 
places they were given occupation, common laborers 
receiving from forty centimes to one dinar per day, and 
the mechanics being paid from one to four dinars per day. 
In only one place the prisoners complained that they had 
to dig trenches and repair guns. 

The liberty allowed prisoners depended upon the 
locality and surroundings. In some places they were 
given perfect freedom, and in others restricted to certain 
territory for their exercise. 

In the majority of cases, the commission found that 



CONDITION OF PRISONERS OF WAR 57 

the prisoners were treated with great consideration. In 
fact,, considering the privations of the Serbian people, 
the treatment might be recorded as actually benevolent. 

The prisoners acting as attendants in the hospitals 
were first given training in the infirmary school in Kragu- 
jevac. These hospital attendants fared better than the 
ordinaiy prisoners of war. They had good rooms for 
themselves, with regular beds, blankets and pillows, and 
they also received milk or tea in the morning. The 
commission visited three-fourths of all the hospitals in 
Serbia, and found there were many cases of typhus 
exanthematicus. Numerous soldiers were also suffering 
from recurrent fever, dysentery and diphtheria. There 
were very few cases of smallpox, and no cholera. We 
found about 13,000 soldiers and prisoners in the different 
hospitals. 

Naturally the danger of epidemics greatly decreased 
after the doctors of the American Red Cross and other 
sanitary missions had employed vaccination and other 
preventive methods. Effective and noble work was per- 
formed by the Rockefeller mission, covering mainly the 
district in New Serbia, the mission having at its command 
complete disinfecting equipment and necessary supplies; 
and by the French mission, engaged in Old Serbia with 
the exception of the Nish district, where the Russian 
mission was employed, and that of Belgrade, where the 
American Red Cross was active. 

Much curiosity and surprise was caused at first when 
Dr. Ryan, who was director of all the hospitals in Bel- 
grade, ordered the floors scrubbed and the walls cleaned 
every day. The people at first could not understand 
why, but after observing the benefits of cleanliness, 
they became earnest advocates of such methods. 



58 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

From infectious diseases the mortality was greater 
among the prisoners of war than among the civilian or 
military Serbians. Out of 24,000 patients, the Serbian 
mortality was 5 per cent, while that of the prisoners was 
24 per cent, and from typhus the Serbian m^ortality was 
13>^ per cent and that of the prisoners 40 per cent. As 
Serbia had no large concentration camps, it was necessary 
to distribute the prisoners throughout the entire king- 
dom, which made it much more difficult to exercise uni- 
form control, and the orders of the headquarters' staff 
were carried out with varying degrees of rigor. 

The first relief party, which arrived in Serbia in Janu- 
ary, 1915, was one organized and sustained by the Ameri- 
can philanthropist, Mr. Frothingham, of New York. 
This unit, under the leadership of Dr. J. Rudis Jicinsky 
of Chicago, first organized a hospital at Dzevdzelija, and 
then went to Skoplje (Uskub), where it engaged in relief 
of Serbian soldiers and civilians suffering from typhus. 
Many cases of tetanus were relieved by use of the Ameri- 
can serum. 

Dr. Jicinsky informed me that the wounds of the 
Serbian soldiers were often frightful, due to the use by the 
Austrians of ** dum-dum " bullets. He stated that he had 
extracted many of these from the Serbian soldiers* wounds. 

The work of this unit was of great importance, and 
earned the heartfelt thanks of the Austrian prisoners 
as well as of the Serbian soldiers and civilians. Gen- 
erally it was found that the camps under the command of 
military officers were better conducted than those under 
the direction of civilians. 

The commission recommended nev/ buildings for the 
winter, but Prime Minister Pachich informed us that 
such plans had already been prepared. Owing to the 



CONDITION OF PRISONERS OF WAR 59 

war's reverses, however, the Serbians were unable to 
carry out these plans. 

Our experience taught us that while a few prisoners 
expressed the wish that they had been killed on the 
battlefield, rather than be obliged to endure imprison- 
ment, life was still held dear by the many. For the future 
good of all, it is highly important that prisoners of war 
should receive humane treatment. It would seem the 
part of wisdom as well as justice, for international laws 
to penalize governments that do not take proper care of 
war prisoners. 

While the commission was passing a creek, going 
from Cuprija to Dobricevo, although our automobile was 
going very fast and making a great noise, I heard a voice 
call, "Mr. Minister!" I ordered a stop and got out, and 
found a man holding two horses which were drinking 
from the creek. I asked him what he desired, and he 
told me that he was from Chicago, where he had a furni- 
ture store. He said he had a wife and children there, 
and that he was worth about $15,000; that out of patri- 
otic feeling he had joined the Serbian army, and now he 
was very tired of it and lonesome, and he thought 
he had already done his share of fighting. He asked me 
to have him discharged and sent home. 

I asked Commander Gaintch, who was with us, to dis- 
charge the man and procure for him permission to return 
to Chicago, which was done at once. I advanced him two 
hundred dollars for traveling expenses to Chicago, where 
I hope he is now enjoying life, after his experiences in 
the great war. 

In different places in Serbia our commission found 
some very old men, and boys of from twelve to fourteen 
years, among the interned soldiers, and we inquired why 



60 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

they were there as prisoners of war. We were informed 
that they had been transporting ammunition in their 
wagons, but we learned that this was not their fault, as 
they had been seized by the Germans and Austro-Hun- 
garians and compelled against their will to perform this 
service, those who refused to obey being shot. My col- 
leagues and I asked the Serbian government to release 
these unfortunates, which request was promptly complied 
with. 

At Uskub, we were received by the Governor of Mace- 
donia and many Serbian officers. We were taken to the 
governor's mansion, where we discussed our mission and 
plans. The governor was much interested in ascertain- 
ing my views regarding certain Serbian affairs. I praised 
their country but said I could not offer any official opinion 
as the United States Minister. 

As a matter of personal opinion I expressed regret 
that there was a dispute over Macedonia, and believed 
that an agreement should be reached with Bulgaria. 
He inquired what dispute I meant, and I answered that 
the Bulgarians wanted the three counties south of Uskub, 
and that if I were a factor in deciding Serbian policy I 
would consider it a wise move to cede these three counties 
to Bulgaria, provided they secured the remainder of the 
beautiful country for Serbia. 

He and the other officers sprang to their feet, and said, 
"What do you mean, Mr. Minister? Those three coun- 
ties are Serbian, not Bulgarian." 

I answered: *T am basing my opinion on what I 
have heard from the American Sanitary Mission, which 
is living in Veles, and from others who have assured me 
that these three districts are more Bulgarian than Serbian, 
Greek or Turkish." 




Turkish Mosque at Uskub, Macedonia 




Wall around the Prison in which Austro-Hungarian 
Prisoners Were Interned in Bardovac, Macedonia 



CONDITION OF PRISONERS OF WAR 61 

I said it could not be expected that they would give 
up this territory without recompense, as Serbia had 
sacrificed many lives to obtain it, but if the case were 
placed before the Entente Powers, they would probably 
hold that Serbia should receive Bosnia and Herzegovina 
to replace the lost territory. However, they would not 
agree to any proposition involving the loss of any part of 
Macedonia. 

My suggestion was made at the time when the Rus- 
sians were losing ground and retreating to their own 
country. I was not at all certain that there was yet time 
for any arrangements to be made between Bulgaria and 
the Triple Entente. But I knew that the Bulgarians 
would do anything to obtain the desired portion of Mace- 
donia, even to the extent of breaking any agreement 
with Germany if necessary. 

With money sent me by the Austro-Hungarian govern- 
ment, I had purchased supplies, clothing, etc., for the 
war prisoners in Serbia, and had sent the goods to Serbia, 
requesting their immediate distribution, but when the 
commission arrived in Nish we found everything I had 
sent stored in the warehouse, together with medicines 
and supplies furnished by the American Red Cross. 
The need of all this material was very great. The colo- 
nel in charge of the warehouse stated to me that lack of 
transportation had caused the delay. I doubted this, 
however, and asked the authorities to place the goods in 
charge of some other man who would ship them promptly 
to their destination. 

Then the Serbians established a new system of having 
the money for war prisoners handled by branches of their 
Red Cross, and this appeared to work in a very satis- 
factory manner. 



62 SECRETS OF THE BALICANS 

After this inspection trip, I realized the great need 
of food in Serbia, and after much persuasion I prevailed 
upon the Roumanian government to supply one hundred 
carloads of com, and obtained from the American Red 
Cross one hundred carloads of other foodstuffs and differ- 
ent supplies. With the assistance of two members of 
the American Red Cross, Miss Shelly and Mr. Stewart, 
I was able to send these two hundred carloads of pro- 
visions and supplies into Serbia just before Bulgaria 
entered the war. 

After I delivered my report as President of the 
International Commission for the inspection of the 
prisoners of war in Serbia, I received the following letter 
from the Austro-Hungarian government: 

Monsieur l'Envoye: 

It is with the greatest satisfaction that I have learned from 
the report of the Commission, which was charged to visit the 
Austro-Hungarian prisoners of war in Serbia, that this commis- 
sion has performed its difficult and responsible task with so great 
a zeal and in so excellent a manner. 

The work of the Commission is of two- fold value to the I. and 
R. government: the report, which gives the results of this work, 
has at last put the I. and R. government in a position to form an 
opinion of definite and reliable character about the actual situa- 
tion of the Austro-Hungarian prisoners of war in Serbia, and has 
moreover presented useful indications as to what means should 
be taken for the bettering of the situation of these prisoners. 

I therefore consider it my duty to convey to you, Monsieur 
l'Envoye, in the name of the I. and R, governm.ent, the very best 
and sincerest thanks for the energetic and careful direction of the 
work of the Commission and for the prominent activity which 
you have displayed in this certainly onerous and at the same time 
not undangerous mission. 

I have the honor to express to you, Monsieur l'Envoye, the 
assurances of my high consideration. 

{Signed) Burian. 




Hills and Fields in Gramada, Serbia 




AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN WaR PRISONERS AT NiSH 



CHAPTER VII 

BULGARIA ENTERS THE WAR— SERBIAN RETREAT- 
KING PETER'S HEROISM 

ULGARIA entered the war October 4, 1915, claim- 
ing that no agreement of any kind could be arrived 
at with the Entente Powers. As the Bulgarian people 
generally were not in favor of this step, the responsibility 
rested entirely on Czar Ferdinand and Prime Minister 
Radoslavoff. A brief review of events and conditions 
during Ferdinand's reign may shed some light on his 
attitude and on that of the Bulgarian people at this time. 
On the abdication of Prince Alexander of Battenberg, 
Czar Ferdinand became ruler in the year 1887 at the 
age of twenty-six. He was the son of Prince August 
of Saxe-Coburg and Princess Clementine, daughter of 
Louis Philippe, King of France, and was therefore of 
Austrian-German parentage on his father's side and 
French-Orleanist on his mother's side. He was one of 
the best educated princes in Europe, and master of many 
languages; of distinguished appearance, highly ambitious 
and very wealthy. 

In April, 1893, he married Princess Marie-Louise of 
Parma. The couple had four children, namely Princes 
Boris and Cyril, and Princesses Eudoxia and Nadeschda. 
They were staunch Catholics, but had their first son 
Boris re-baptized in the orthodox church. This action 
did not gain so much favor with the Bulgarian people 
as Ferdinand had expected, as it was generally considered 
an act of policy. 

After six years of married life. Princess Marie-Louise 
died, but her character and actions left enduring love 
5 63 



64 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

in the hearts of the Bulgarians. Eight years after her 
death, Czar Ferdinand married Eleonora of Reuss. Be- 
fore this princess became Czarina of Bulgaria, she was 
loved for her many acts for the good of the people, which 
were continued on even larger scale in Bulgaria. She 
supervised the direction of a modern hospital in Sofia, 
and was Red Cross directress during the war with the 
Turks. She was devoted to her people and tireless in 
her work to aid wounded soldiers, orphans and the desti- 
tute, and in devising means to better the condition of 
the unfortunate. 

Czar Ferdinand, while desiring the admiration of 
the world, also spared no effort to advance the interests 
of Bulgaria and improve the condition of her people. 
After the revolution in 1848, the cause of education had 
been greatly advanced throughout Europe. Many schools 
and universities were built in different countries. Czar 
Ferdinand built many schools in Bulgaria, and he also 
greatly improved the roads throughout the kingdom and 
modernized Sofia. He was very popular until the Bul- 
garians met with defeat in the second Balkanic war, after 
which time there was a general revulsion of feeling. 

His task as ruler was not an easy one. In connection 
with Bulgarian affairs, the relation of Macedonia required 
due consideration, as many of the Bulgarian diplomats 
and prominent men were natives of that country. 
Annexation of Macedonia had always been desired by 
the Bulgarians, not alone for territorial expansion, but 
to free the Bulgarians living there from the Turkish 
rule. The alliance made with other Balkan nations for 
the purpose of liberating Macedonia, greatly enhanced 
Ferdinand's popularity. It was his desire to enter Con- 
stantinople in the first Balkanic war, but Russia made 



BULGARIA ENTERS THE WAR 65 

objection, which caused a feeling of enmity toward that 
country. On the other hand, Ferdinand was not popular 
with the Russians, although he had acknowledged that 
the Bulgarians were under obligation to that country 
for its aid in securing Bulgarian independence. This 
was due to his accession to the throne without the con- 
sent of Russia or other European powers. 

Ferdinand always claimed that General Savoff pre- 
cipitated the second Balkanic war, which resulted un- 
favorably for the Bulgarians, but the people felt that he, 
as commander in chief of the army, was responsible. 
In this war, and then in the World War, his plans and 
hopes failed miserably. 

Many of my colleagues held that his sympathies were 
entirely with the Germans, and that in his desire to help 
them, he sacrificed his own country. It is my belief, 
based on my knowledge of conditions, that while Ferdi- 
nand's sympathies were to an extent with the Germans, 
he openly exposed their cause because of his firm belief 
at that time that Germany would be the victor, and that 
in the subsequent sharing of the spoils the aggrandize- 
ment of Bulgaria would be great. 

It was a fatal error that the question of entering the 
war was not submitted to the will of the people, as I know 
that the great majority of the Bulgarians were opposed 
to the step taken. Czar Ferdinand and his mnnisters 
were therefore wholly responsible for the terrible losses 
sustained. It is to be hoped that his son, the present 
king, will profit by the mistakes of his father, and that 
under his rule the country will again become great and 
prosperous. 

With Bulgaria in the fray, it was decided that she, 
with Austro-Hungar^^ and Germany, would combine in 



66 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

an attack which would annihilate Serbia. The doom of 
this country had been decreed before by the Germans, as 
a removal of the obstacle to their hopes for extension of 
power to the Turkish border. The German Minister in 
Bucharest told the Serbian Minister there, that if Serbia 
would permit the transportation of ammunition across 
her country to Turkey, no further attack would be made 
on her, but Serbia refused the offer. 

Serbia expected that the Entente Powers would send 
at least 300,000 men to aid in her defense, but unfortu- 
nately assistance could not be furnished at that time 
and Serbia had to fight alone. 

The Greeks were bound by a treaty to aid the Serbians 
in case of Bulgarian attack, but they sent no assistance, 
claiming that the treaty held good only in case of attack 
by Bulgaria alone, and that it was invalid in the existing 
case of combined attack of Bulgaria, Austro-Hungary 
and Germany. 

The Serbians, with an army of a little more than 
200,000 men, worn and wearied by the wars of the pre- 
ceding months, were attacked on all sides by a force of 
about 600,000 of the enemy. Owing to the scarcity of 
men, the railroad running between Salonika and Uskub 
was not protected, and this was seized by the Bulgarians, 
thereby cutting off any chance for help which might be 
sent. 

The Germans and Austro-Hungarians outnumbered 
the Serbians more than two to one, and their artillery 
strength was five times as great, which odds were well 
nigh insuperable. The Germans had reviled the Aus- 
trians, because in every previous effort to cross the rivers 
Save and Danube, they had been repulsed with losses 
of many thousands of men. But when the Germans 




Detention Camp for Austro-Hungarian War Prisoners 

AT Gramada 




Austro-Hungarian War Prisoners 
Transported in Railroad Cars in Serbia 



BULGARIA ENTERS THE WAR 67 

attempted similar attacks at the same point, they met 
with the same fate, and were consequently jeered by the 
Austro-Hungarians. 

After the armies of the Central Powers had effected 
these crossings by reason of vast superiority of numbers 
and equipment, their losses were greatly lessened and 
those of the Serbians greatly increased. Man against 
man, the Serbian officers and soldiers clearly demon- 
strated their superiority. In two months of bloody war- 
fare there was no decisive battle, but the Serbians con- 
tinually retreated toward what remained of New Serbia, 
and to Albania, with the enemy constantly closing in 
from all directions. 

Many Serbians, especially those living close to the 
border, for their protection took refuge in Roumania. 
In Turnu-Severin and vicinity there were at one time 
nearly 15,000 refugees. The Austrian authorities at 
Kladova were trying to induce them to return home, 
and it was also claimed that the Austrians were giving 
money to those who did return. At this time the German 
Minister came to our Legation and asked me to notify 
the Serbian government that all the refugees should 
return to their homes at once, promising that they would 
not be molested. The same afternoon the Bulgarian 
Minister came for tea at the Legation and made the 
same request, and the A.ustrian Minister also asked the 
same thing over the telephone. 

I first wanted to know why all three ministers were 
so much interested. I telegraphed to my government 
regarding it, and received an answer that if the three 
ministers would sign a written guarantee for the safety 
of the refugees, I should communicate their request to 
the Serbian government. This answer came in about 



68 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

five days, and when I received it and asked the German 
Minister and his colleagues for a written guarantee, 
they failed to respond. 

At that time the newspapers in the Allied countries 
were full of articles regarding the cruelty and bad treat- 
ment by the Germans to their subjects in the occupied 
territory, and therefore had I sent this communication 
to the Serbian government as originally requested, it 
would have indicated that the Germans had been 
maligned in the press. My interest was solely in the 
safety of the refugees, which could not be assured with- 
out the guarantee requested. 

During the month of October, the Serbian govern- 
ment was obliged to remove its headquarters from Nish to 
Kragouyevatz, Stalatch, Kruchevatz, Trestenik, Cralievo, 
Cacak and Uzice. My last communication from Ameri- 
can Consul Young came from Cacak. With the retiring 
army, retreating to inhospitable Albania, were taken the 
war prisoners and their own wounded soldiers, and they 
were accompanied by a great mass of the civil population, 
who preferred to face any hardship, even death itself, 
rather than submit to the treatment their women and 
helpless people would probably receive at the hands of 
the conquerors. 

They had heard of the horrors of Belgium, and they 
dreaded the invading forces, even more than their 
ancestors had feared the merciless Turks. Therefore they 
traveled over mountains covered with snow, and through 
treacherous swamps, partly filled with the bodies of 
human beings, horses and cattle. Thousands of men, 
women and children died on the march, from hunger, 
exposure and sickness. It was but another chapter 
in the history of Serbia's fight and struggle for liberty. 



BULGARIA ENTERS THE WAR 69 

With his people on the march, and fully sharing all 
their, hardships, was King Peter. I first met King Peter 
in 1914, and found him a man of very distinguished 
appearance and agreeable manners, although his health 
was poor and he was then quite seventy years old. As 
a young prince he had followed his father in exile to 
France, where he enlisted in the French army in 1870. 
In one battle he was taken prisoner, but escaped and 
swam across the river to join his army again, and shortly 
after he was severely wounded. 

After nearly forty years of exile, he returned to his 
country in 1903, and immediately advocated alliance 
with Russia and France as opposed to the pro-Austrian 
inclinations of his*predecessor. During his reign, Serbian 
territory was extended, and the population increased 
from 2,500,000 to 15,000,000 people, which is the popu- 
lation of the present country of Jugo-Slavia. In later 
years, owing to his age and continued illness, he 
entrusted the affairs of state to his son. Crown Prince 
Alexander. 

From September to November, 1914, the fortunes of 
the Serbian army waned. The Austrians had by far 
the greater forces and constantly received reinforcements. 
After the loss of Krupania, General Putnik ordered the 
retreat of the Serbian army, meanwhile inflicting great 
losses on the enemy. 

December 2, Belgrade was occupied by the Austrian 
army, but owing to heavy rain for two days, the retreat- 
ing Serbians were not immediately pursued. At this 
time King Peter was receiving treatment in Vrania, but 
notwithstanding his physicial condition, and disregard- 
ing all remonstrances, he at once joined his army. In 
this desperate situation, with the enemies victorious 



70 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

everywhere and the Austrian airplanes dropping bombs 
on the helpless Serbians, King Peter appeared and 
summoned his officers, to whom he said: 

"I knov/ that you are all weary, and long for your 
homes. You have fought bravely, and even if you 
abandon the fight now, you will always be regarded as 
Serbian heroes. You have sworn to defend your king 
and your country. I do not longer hold you to my per- 
sonal defense, but we are all bound to our country. I 
shall remain here, and those who wish may stay with 
me, and either be victorious or die for the cause." 

This rallied the soldiers, who declared that they 
were weary only of retreating, but they would be eager 
to stand by the king in an offensive action. King 
Peter then went to the trenches, seized a rifle from the 
first dead man he found, and began picking off the 
enemy. Soldiers were killed on both sides of him but 
he continued undismayed. 

The news that the king was in the trenches circulated 
quickly, and officers and men were filled with new life 
and hope. The retreat continued for a month, when 
the Serbians halted and began an offensive which resulted 
in a great Serbian victory. The Austrian army was 
absolutely overwhelmed, and 40,000 prisoners and 120 
guns were captured by the Serbians. In a few days, 
Belgrade and the whole of Serbia had been deserted by 
the enemy. 

After this battle, the king went immediately to 
Belgrade with an escort of a few soldiers, arriving while 
the city was being bombarded. He went first to the 
cathedral, where he fell on his knees and prayed. The 
news of his arrival spread, and in a short time the ca- 
thedral was packed with the people of Belgrade. The 



■'«*v'^ 





AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN OFFICERS, PRISONERS OF WaR, 

Taking Promenade in their Park 




Austro-Hungarian War Prisoners in Nish 



BULGARIA ENTERS THE WAR 71 

king's sons and many officers were also present, and 
then and there, while the bombardment continued, the 
Te Deum was celebrated as never before. 

Afterwards, for some nine months, there was a lull 
in the fighting. The Germans agreed to make no 
further attack if Serbia would permit ammunition to 
be shipped across her country to Turkey, but this was 
refused. Then followed the combined attacks of Bul- 
garia and the Central Powers. King Peter immediately 
headed his army again, but soon realized that even the 
greatest heroism cannot resist overwhelming numbers. 
He again entered the trenches without arms and suffered 
from illness, cold and hunger, but he stayed with his 
soldiers. When the futility of further resistance was 
apparent, he joined his people in the great retreat. 



CHAPTER VIII 

LAST DAYS OF QUEEN ELISABETH — CAUSE OF 
BULGARIAN ATTITUDE 

ON February 18, 1916, I had an audience with 
Queen Elisabeth of Roumania, the last audience 
she was ever able to grant to anyone. I wished to thank 
her for the present of her book of poems entitled ** Sweet 
Hours," written under the name of ''Carmen Sylva.'' 
At this meeting, her majesty discussed politics to a con- 
siderable extent. She expressed her pro-German feelings 
in very strong terms, and stated that the existing dislike 
of the Germans had been inspired by the Queen Dowager 
of Russia, and that this hatred was most unjust. 

She hoped for peace, and asked when it might be 
expected. I stated that if the Quadruple Entente should 
gain a decisive victory and some territory from the 
Central Powers, it might afford an opening for negotia- 
tions. For instance, if the Russians took Bukowina, 
that would be sufficient to start. The queen replied that 
this was undesirable, as Bukowina was too near Rou- 
mania. She stated that the wife of the Prince of Wied, 
late King of Albania, had never relinquished her claim 
to the throne, and that at the end of the war she expected 
to return with her husband to Albania. 

She said she had been informed that the United 
States was in favor of the war because that country 
profited to the extent of a hundred million dollars a year 
by it. I told her that this statement undoubtedly ema- 
nated from an enemy of our country. I was sure that 
our government made no money on anything furnished 
European countries; that while individual manufacturers 

72 



LAST DAYS OF QUEEN ELISABETH 73 

and business men doubtless made profits, the government 
was losing many millions of dollars, and that if money 
could bring about peace, the United States would con- 
tribute sufficient to reestablish peace in Europe at once. 

Her majesty said that she expected peace before the 
end of July, and that she believed that none of the par- 
ticipants in the v^^ar vv^ould derive any benefit. She 
sharply criticized the English, and said that that na- 
tion was deteriorating. She gave me a book entitled 
** Adnam's Orchard," by Sarah Grand, an English woman. 
On the first page her majesty had written, "Fiat Pax — 
Elisabetha." She asked me to read it and give her my 
opinion. 

It was apparent to "me that the queen was very ill, 
and I several times suggested that she might feel better 
able to continue the conversation at a later time, but 
she said that she felt like having a chat about the war 
and Am.erica. Two weeks later she died. 

During our conversation, the queen told me that 
after the coronation of King Carol in 1880, she endeavored 
to establish a Court Ladies Society, and for that purpose 
invited the most popular ladies of Bucharest to a meet- 
ing. While awaiting the queen, the ladies took their 
places in the order they thought proper according to 
their standing. Her majesty's sight was deficient, and 
when she came into the room she greeted the first woman 
she encountered, and talked with her nearly all the time. 
Although this woman was prominent in a certain manner, 
she was not legally married to the man whose name she 
bore, and consequently the ladies of the party were 
highly displeased, and at length departed with as little 
ceremony as possible, declaring that they would never 
come to any such gathering again. One result was 



74 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

that the preference shown by the queen induced the 
man to make the woman his legal wife, but another was 
that the other ladies persistently held aloof for a number 
of years. 

Treatment of prisoners in Bulgaria was very much 
criticized, and it was claimed that the Serbians were 
abused even worse than the others. The charge d 'affaires 
of our Legation in Sofia was in disfavor with the Bul- 
garians because of his Entente sentiments, and conse- 
quently the authorities gave no heed to his requests. 
The English society, under the direction of Mrs. Take 
Jonescu and Lady Barclay, were endeavoring to relieve 
these prisoners. They v/ished to send about seven cars 
of supplies, but doubted very much that they would be 
given to the prisoners. 

Later I received a letter from our consul general in 
Sofia, Mr. D. Murphy, urging my immediate presence. 
He stated that the Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs 
wished me to inspect the camps of the British prisoners 
in Bulgaria. I left Bucharest for Sofia on Sunday, 
May 28, and returned June 13. At Routchouck a great 
number of Bulgarian soldiers were marching through the 
streets and singing national songs. I understood their 
language and knew these songs were all very sad. On 
our tour I noticed that large numbers of trenches had 
been newly made. Accompanied by our military attache 
and Mr. F. Klepal, of the American Red Cross, v/e arrived 
in Sofia on Tuesday. 

By order of the secret police, no one was allowed to 
leave the depot without a pass, but I disregarded the 
order and went immediately to my hotel, leaving the 
other gentlemen waiting for their passes. They were 
detained until well after daybreak. 




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Palace in which Austro-Hungarian Officers, 
Prisoners of War, Were Interned 



LAST DAYS OF QUEEN ELISABETH 75 

The police objected to the presence of Mr. Klepal, 
and ordered him to leave Bulgaria. I made an appoint- 
ment with the Prime Minister, and together with our 
military attache and Consul Murphy, was received by 
him at ten o'clock that morning. 

After the customary preliminaries, I requested pro- 
tection for Mr. Klepal. It appeared the objection to 
him was based on the fact that at one time he had 
worked in a hospital in Serbia under Lady Paget. At 
the suggestion of Mr. Radoslavoff, I appointed Mr. 
Klepal as an attache, and the secret police were notified 
of his standing, but nevertheless they insisted on deport- 
ing him. I then informed the Prime Minister that if 
this was carried out I would also leave Bulgaria imme- 
diately. It was apparent from the telephoning, that 
the Foreign Office and the secret police were not working 
in harmony, and also that the latter were superior and 
were the deciding power. 

I made complaint to the Prime Minister that many 
American citizens traveling through Bulgaria were de- 
tained and badly treated, and inquired the reason. He 
assured me that he had never heard of anything of the 
kind, but if such things happened it was on account of 
the action of the charge d'affaires in the Hurst case, 
but he promised to take immediate steps to end any 
such treatment. In all, I made about thirty-five different 
requests, which I asked the Prime Minister to write 
down, in order that he might not forget any. He prom- 
ised in advance that he would do everything that I 
might ask. 

The trouble over the Hurst action started before 
my arrival in Sofia. Mr. Hurst v/as the vice-consul 
of England, and had been permitted to stay there as 



76 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

keeper of the records of the EngHsh Legation, but when 
the Bulgarian consul in Greece was arrested by the 
Entente Powers, the Bulgarians wished to retaliate by 
the arrest of Mr. Hurst. He, however, came to the 
American Legation and asked for protection. Our 
charge d'affaires had rented quarters for our Legation in 
the Hotel Bulgaria, and when Mr. Hurst came to him, 
he promised that he would not give him up to the Bul- 
garian authorities. When the Bulgarian government 
demanded that he be given up, our charge d'affaires 
refused. The Bulgarians then placed guards at the 
doors of these rooms so that Mr. Hurst could not leave. 
This incident caused a great deal of ill feeling, and our 
American citizens traveling through Bulgaria suffered 
by it. The action of our charge d'affaires in this matter 
was undoubtedly the reason for his unpopularity. 

The Prime Minister complained bitterly of the action 
of the Entente Powers, and said that if they had made 
any concessions regarding Macedonia, Bulgaria would 
never have joined the Central Powers. He said that 
in the room we then occupied, he had urged the Russian 
Minister and the English Minister to comply with their 
desires about Macedonia, which he thought were fully 
justified, and that they had answered him: "We don't 
need Bulgaria, and we shall do nothing for you." 

After that decisive answer, he said it was necessary 
for them to join the Central Powers in order to obtain 
Macedonia. He stated that so many of the public men 
in Bulgaria came from Macedonia, it was of the highest 
importance that Bulgaria should secure that territory, 
as without it he believed they never could preserve order 
in their own country. He asked my opinion of the out- 
come of the war, and I expressed the belief that he was 



LAST DAYS OF QUEEN ELISABETH 77 

on the wrong side, and stated that I felt sorry for the 
Bulgarians. He, however, expressed full confidence that 
the Central Powers would be victorious. 



CHAPTER IX 

ROUMANIA DURING PERIOD OF NEUTRALITY — 
DECLARATION OF WAR 

AT the outset of the war, the Roumanian people were 
anxious to array themselves on the side of the Allies, 
but King Carol, who was a member of the Hohenzollern 
family, opposed it, and claimed that Roumania was 
bound by an existing agreement with Germany, Austro- 
Hungary and Italy. Because of this decision he was 
attacked daily by the papers and at public meetings. 
The Roumanian newspapers frequently employed car- 
toons, in one of which I remember King Carol was 
represented with a bag on his back on which was marked, 
"200 Million Lei," and underneath this the inscription, 
"You sackers can do whatever you please in Roumania. 
I am going to have a good time on my money in Ger- 
many." The king was old and feeble, and was very 
much hurt by these attacks, which perhaps hastened his 
death, on October 10, 1914. 

While the king was undoubtedly pro-German, he 
desired the members of his family to refrain from any 
comments on the military or diplomatic conditions of 
Roumania. It is said, however, that the crown prince, 
the present King Ferdinand, at one time made a state- 
ment that he was a Roumanian crown prince, and willing 
to do what the majority of his people wished, and for this 
remark the king had him confined to his room for ten 
days. 

During the early stages of the war, while Roumania 
was neutral, there was very little change in conditions 
of life in that country. The crops were excellent, and 

78 




International Commission Examining Kitchen for the 

AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN AND GERMAN WaR PRISONERS 




AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN WaR PRISONERS 

Working on the Railroad in Gramada 



ROUMANIA DURING PERIOD OF NEUTRALITY 79 

could be disposed of at very good prices. The govern- 
ment was making preparations for participating in the 
war if necessary, but it was done very quietly in order 
that the Germans would not suspect it. 

It was current rumor that Roumania would wait 
until more certain which side would be victorious, and 
that she would then cast her lot with the winner. My 
firm belief is, however, that the liberal government of 
Bratiano was in favor of the Triple Entente, and I know 
that the sympathies of the majority of the Roumanian 
officers and people were with the Entente Powers. 

In this period of neutrality, there was ordinarily not 
much entertaining in diplomatic circles, but I was giv- 
ing a dinner to diplom.ats every Thursday. Aside from 
that, tea was served at the Legation once a week, and at 
one time I gave a tea party with a dance, and my daugh- 
ters invited the diplomats of all the countries. To my 
surprise they all accepted, and at the Legation the Entente 
representatives congregated in one room, and those of 
the Central Powers in another. They held no conver- 
sation with each other but mingled while dancing. In 
the journal ''Near East," one of the guests present wrote 
of this party as follows: 

''Each nationality has its place of accustomed resort, 
and none trespasses upon that of another. The Germans 
go striding in their large German way into the Athenee 
Palace, where there is enough of gilding and enamel to 
make a fit frame for a Prussian officer. The Frenchmen 
are more at their ease in the faintly Bohemian atmosphere 
of the Moderne; two or three lean and easy English have 
colonized the establishment known as Capsa. Not even 
on that battle line which extends from the Baltic to 
Bukowina are the hostile races more definitely and 



80 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

abruptly sundered than here, in this neutral capital which 
is the political storm center of the Balkans. 

"Yet a few days ago, Bucharest held the spectacle 
of most of those young men gathered together in the 
same ballroom, somewhat stiff and formal in their polite- 
ness, with perhaps a spice of refined venom in their 
punctilious civility, yet going so far upon the road to 
peace as to acknowledge each other's existence as human 
beings, and to leave each other's throats alone. It was 
in the nature of a small miracle; Bucharest, which has 
watched them for months, saw it with amaze; and the 
worker of that wonder, the big, bland alchemist whose 
compounding of good nature and shrewd American 
common sense made it possible, was the Hon. Charles 
J. Vopicka, United States Minister to Roumania, Bul- 
garia and Serbia." 

In May, 1916, Roumania concluded a commercial 
treaty with Germany, by which Germany bound herself 
to export to Roumania articles of necessity in exchange 
for com and petroleum. The Roumanian government 
claimed that the treaty was purely commercial and had 
no political significance, but France did not accept these 
views. The French Minister, Camille Blondel, who had 
held the post in Roumania since 1907, was replaced by 
Count de St. Aulaire, and it is possible that the treaty 
had something to do with the change of ministers. There 
followed great activity in business generally, and when 
the Roumanian government issued a state loan of 150,- 
000,000 lei at 84, which rose to a premium oi \}4 per 
cent, the amount was immediately subscribed. The 
government than increased the issue to 400,000,000 lei, 
which was all taken in a fortnight. 

The Roumanian landowners made a great deal of 



ROUMANIA DURING PERIOD OF NEUTRALITY 81 

money, because they obtained very high prices for their 
grain, but the lower classes of people were poor. Meat 
was scarce in Roumania, and in Bucharest no meat could 
be sold in the restaurants and markets for three days in 
the week. This restriction was necessary to preserve 
stock, as the peasants were frequently attempting to 
take their cattle across the mountain passes and sell 
them to Austria and Hungary at extremely high prices. 

The strongest political parties in Roumania were the 
Liberals and the Conservatives, the former being headed 
by Mr. J. C. Bratiano, and the other by Mr. Alexander 
Marghiloman. The followers of the latter were classed 
as pro-German, although it was claimed that the majority 
of the members of the club were anti-German. At the 
yearly meeting the Conservative party divided into two 
factions, one electing for its leaders Messrs. Lahovary, 
Take Jonescu and Filippescu, and this faction was strong 
for war on the side of the Entente. The other faction, 
headed by Mr. Marghiloman, advocated their neutrality, 
or favored war on the side of Germany. 

In the summer of 1916 I took a vacation at Constanza, 
where many prominent Roumanian people and diplomats 
were staying. Many military officers of high rank were 
there, among them General Coanda, who was in charge 
of the department of artillery. We met every day, fre- 
quently playing bridge-whist at the Casino. 

On August 10, I mentioned my intention of leaving 
on the first of September, and said that I had everything 
ready for the trip. One general asked if I was sure I was 
going, at which General Coanda looked at me and smiled 
very significantly. 

On that day one hundred carloads of ammunition had 
arrived from Russia. This fact, coupled with the above 



82 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

incident, indicated to me that Roumania was getting 
ready for war, and I was convinced that she would enter 
on the side of the AUies in a very short time. I tele- 
graphed this to the Department of State nearly three 
weeks before Roumania finally entered the war. 

During the summer of 1916, the Russian offensive, 
led by General Brussiloff, greatly influenced the belief 
in Roumania that the Entente would be victorious. 

In the summer of 1915, the Roumanian Court, to- 
gether with all the ministers and diplomats, moved to 
Sinaia. The ministers held their meetings nearly every 
day and whatever they did, they thought it was in secret. 

One day I met Mr. Emile Perumbaro, the Minister 
of Foreign Affairs, and asked him directly whether Rou- 
mania would mobilize. He answered that they would 
not mobilize, but would concentrate. I told his excel- 
lency: "Ten minutes ago I telegraphed to my govern- 
ment that Roumania will mobilize under -the name of 
concentration." At which he laughed so heartily and so 
long that we could not separate for some time. After 
catching his breath, he said, "Who is keeping you 
posted?" 

The Germans and Austro-Hungarians had many spies 
in Bucharest who adopted every means to learn what 
was being done by our Legation. .On one occasion a trap 
was set for me with a young woman of very charming 
appearance as the decoy. 

At the Hotel Capsa, where I lunched, a table was 
reserved daily for me. One day, as I took my accustomed 
seat, I noticed that an attractive young lady was the occu- 
pant of a chair at the next table, almost touching mine. 
To my surprise, she began talking to me as soon as I was 
seated. * As my official position was well known, it seemed 




German and Austro-Hungarian War 
Prisoners in Bucharest 



ROUMANIA DURING PERIOD OF NEUTRALITY 83 

Strange that an imperative rule of etiquette should be 
thus violated, it being clearly established that a diplomat 
cannot hold conversation with anyone who has not been 
properly introduced. 

I therefore sent the waiter to inform the chief of police, 
who was dining in a private room. The chief at once in- 
vited me to his room, and told me that the young lady was 
one of the cleverest of Austrian spies. The next day she 
was waiting at the same table, but I seated myself at an- 
other table, and she made no further advances to me. 

The Germans and their allies omitted no opportu- 
nity to gain information through their spy system, but 
only two of their hirelings ever succeeded in getting into 
my affairs, and these spies were discovered before they 
did any harm. One was a clerk in the Legation, whose 
early presence at the office aroused my suspicion. I 
found he was opening telegrams, and I promptly dis- 
charged him. The other was a servant girl in my house- 
hold, whose mission was to learn just what my sympa- 
thies and sentiment might be; whether strictly neutral, 
or with a leaning to one side or the other. Needless to 
say, she learned nothing v/hich was of value to her em- 
ployers, or that could give them any hold on me. 

It was rumored that as a price of her participation, 
Roumania demanded that Transylvania, Bukowina and 
Banat be ceded to her, and that the Allies were willing 
to comply with these demands. From the remarks of the 
Entente ministers with whom I daily came in contact, 
I expected to hear any day that Roumania had entered 
the war on the side of the Allies. In April, 1916, 1 learned 
in Bulgaria, from all classes of people, that war with Rou- 
mania was greatly desired. Having this knowledge when 
I returned to Roumania, I was astonished by the state- 



84 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

ment of the Prime Minister that Bulgaria would never 
declare war against them. Undoubtedly he made these 
statements because of the assurance of the Prime Min- 
ister of Russia. 

The agitation fomented by the students in Roumania 
certainly influenced the decision to enter into hostilities. 
All the intelligent men of the country greatly desired that 
the four million Roumanians who lived in Transylvania 
should be free, and that that territory should be annexed 
to their own. The same was true of Banat and Bukowina, 
where the majority of the people were also Roumanians. 
All three of these countries were at one time part of Rou- 
mania but had been wrested from her by Austro-Hun- 
gary. 

June 3, 1916, Dr. Kramarz, one of the Czecho-Slovak 
leaders, and a friend of mine, was condemned to death 
for high treason, by the military court in Vienna, together 
with five other prominent Czecho-Slovaks. I made every 
effort to save my friend from death. First I cabled the 
State Department, but fearing my cablegram might not 
be delivered, I made a personal call on Count Czernin, 
the Austro-Hungarian Minister, at his summer home in 
Sinaia. I told him that consideration was due me from 
his government because of my efforts as chairman of the 
International Commission that investigated the condition 
of prisoners of war in Serbia, and pleaded for mercy for 
Dr. Kramarz and his associates. He said he could not in- 
terfere with the court's action, as it would be resented as 
criticism. I told him I did not raise any question of 
guilt or innocence, but simply asked for mercy, and I 
left with him a written request. He promised to con- 
sider it, but the next day I received the following letter 
from him: 



ROUMANIA DURING PERIOD OF NEUTRALITY 85 

SiNAiA, June 19, 1916* 
My dear Colleague: 

In acknowledging receipt of your letter dated June 16, I beg 
to advise you that, to my regret, I am not in a position to interfere 
in favor of Dr. Kramarz. 

Not only would such a step be beyond my discretion, but it 
would also be contrary to the esteem and confidence I have in 
our military judges who, by their sentence itself, have proved that 
the person in question is guilty. 

In repeating my regret not to be able to serve you, I beg to 
remain 

Respectfully yours, 

(Signed) Czernin. 

During July and August, many German and Austrian 
business men inquired of me whether they should remain 
in Bucharest or go to their own homes. Generally I re- 
ferred them to their own ministers, although a few I ad- 
vised to leave immediately. Those that asked their own 
ministers were evidently assured that nothing would hap- 
pen, and they remained, and many were interned. For 
about a week before the proclamation of war, there were 
many internments on suspicion. 

That war would be declared was not known to the 
German sympathizers until the night before it happened. 
The decision was made at the Crown meeting held on 
August 27. At this meeting there were present the king, 



*iOnginal) 

SiNAiA, le 19 Juin, 1916. 
MoN CHER Collegue: 

En vous accusant reception de votre lettre en date du 16 Juin, je m'empresse 
de vous faire savoir qu'a mon regret je suis hors d'etat d'intervenir en faveur 
du Dr. Kramarz. 

Non seulement qu'une telle demarche depasserait ma competence, mais 
encore elle serait en contradiction avec I'estime et la confiance que j'ai dans nos 
juges militaires qui, par leur sentence meme, ont prouve la culpabilite de I'indi- 
vidu en question. 

En vous repetant mes regrets de ne pouvoir vous etre agreable, je vous 
prie, mon cher collegue, d'agreer I'assurance de ma parfaite consideration. 

{Signed) Czernin. 



86 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

the ministers, the generals, and Mr. Take Jonescu and 
prominent members of the Liberal and Conservative 
parties. The king made a speech in which he said: 

"Although I am a member of the Hohenzollem family, 
I am the King of Roumania first, and therefore I have to 
do what my subjects wish me to. I perceive that the 
majority of the people are asking that Roumania enter 
the war on the side of the Entente, and I therefore state 
to you that I am ready to comply with their wish. " 

He had ready at the time a complete plan of action, 
especially regarding the movements of the army. The 
proclamation of war v/as prepared and read in the meet- 
ing, and it was delivered to the Austro-Hungarian govern- 
ment the same night by the Roumanian minister. 

As a rule, the Roumanian people are undemonstrative, 
and not even given to loud applause at public meetings, 
but on this Sunday, when the decision of the government 
became known, thousands of people of all classes marched 
through the streets, cheering for their king and their 
country. After the procession ended and the crowd dis- 
persed, I visited the smaller streets, and at nearly every 
house a soldier was bidding farewell to his family or his 
sweetheart. All expression of sentiment indicated that 
the Roumanians were actuated only by the desire to aid 
humanity and to free their brothers. 

On the day war was proclaimed, the German Minister 
came and asked me to take over the German interests in 
Roumania. I asked him if he had expected the declara- 
tion, and he said he had not, because he had had assur- 
ances to the contrary from both the king and the prime 
minister. He said that had been promised him long 
before, and I told him he should have had the promise 
renewed every few days, because in war time conditions 




Royal Palace in Sinaia, Roumania 




Room in Royal Palace at Sinaia 



ROUlvlANIA DURING PERIOD OF NEUTRALITY 87 

are often altered very abruptly. I promised to take care 
of the German interests if approved by my government, 
and also told him that on the 10th of August I had in- 
formed my government that in my opinion Roumania 
would take this step about the first of September. 

In taking charge of the German interests, I had to 
attend to the welfare of the staff of the German Legation, 
and also to arrange for their transportation from Rou- 
mania to Germany. It was agreed between us and the 
Roumanian Foreign Office that the Germans and Turks 
should leave together on one train, and the Austrians 
and Bulgarians together on another. 

The Germans and Turks left on Sunday, the week after 
war v/as proclaimed. I sent the secretary of our Le- 
gation with them to the frontier, and also supplied them 
with 10,000 rubles in cash, as they were without funds. 
They v/ere placed in a fine train with sleeping cars, but the 
Austrians and Bulgarians were sent away in cars that had 
all the windows painted black, so they could see nothing 
of what was happening in Roumania. 

Before departure, the German Minister said that if 
Germany realized that it would lose in the war, and had 
only 500,000 men left, they would come back to Roumania 
as a last act and give her a lesson for the outrage perpe- 
trated on Germany. Prince Schaumburg-Lippe said that 
they would all be back in six months. 

After the war was declared, many subjects of the 
Central Powers were arrested. Among them were women 
who were accused of being spies for the Germans and 
Austrians, because they associated with the Roumanian 
officers, and obtained information which they sent to 
the enemy. There were 393 of these, including many 
German girls who were supported by the American Lega- 



88 



SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 



tion from funds sent by the German government, and 
they were interned at Vacaresti, a short distance from 
Bucharest, until about a week before the Germans 
entered Bucharest. When the chief of poUce left Bucha- 
rest he entrusted them to me, and I requested their 
discharge the day before the Germans entered the city. 
They were among the first to welcome the German 
soldiers on the 6th of December, when they presented 
them with flowers, candies and cigarettes. 



CHAPTER X 

ROUMANIA ENTERS WAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ALLIES — 
CONDITIONS OF UNPREPAREDNESS 

IMMEDIATELY after the proclamation of war, the 
Roumanian army marched to Transylvania, the 
soldiers and people full of joy over the opportunity to 
strike a blow for the freedom of their brothers in that 
country. They expected to win quickly, but the first 
surprise and disappointment came in short order. The 
Germans sent airplanes, which made the first attack on 
Bucharest on August 29. The moment they crossed 
the Danube, with only twenty-three minutes' flight 
before them, all the city church bells began to ring, 
the policemen blew their whistles, and a gun located at 
the Athenee palace was frequently discharged. When 
these signals of attack were given, the populace was 
panic stricken. The greatest confusion prevailed during 
the nerve racking din of the bombardment, and nearly 
all the people took refuge in cellars. 

During succeeding airplane attacks, windows and 
doors were protected by iron shutters in the day time, 
and at night the houses were kept dark, black paper 
being put on the windows and only candles being used 
for light. There were very few lights in the streets, 
and these were much subdued. It having been demon- 
strated that the bombs from the airplanes penetrated 
only to a depth of about thirty feet in the buildings, 
only the three upper stories of the four- and five-story 
hotels were unoccupied. 

The Roumanians demanded that I cable my govern- 
ment after the first airplane attack, claiming that Bucha- 

89 



90 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

rest was an open town, and that the action was barbaric 
and unwarranted, but the Germans claimed that it was 
a fortified city, and that they were therefore justified. 

The second attack was made September 4 at 2 :00 a.m., 
with the powder factory the chief objective. The third 
attack was made September 5, between 2 :00 and 5:00 a.m. 
This was directed against the city generally. In the 
garden of the Royal Palace, a bomb made a pit about 
five feet deep and fifteen feet in diameter. In these 
attacks, from four to eight airplanes were employed, 
which dropped bombs containing about five hundred 
pounds of explosives. Four of them struck within a 
thousand feet of the American Legation. 

In their excitement, the people demanded that two 
German prisoners be executed for each person killed by 
the bombs, and even the newspapers endorsed this 
policy. At once I informed the Minister of Foreign 
Affairs that this agitation must cease, and I said: '*If 
any German is killed on account of the airplane raids, I 
shall leave the city and you will lose your best friend, 
'Uncle Sam.'" I stated firmly that no individual 
should be made to suffer because of methods adopted 
by all the countries at war. The Minister of Foreign 
Affairs accused me of favoring the Germans in this 
matter, but if the Roumanians had followed out this 
plan of revenge it is certain that the Germans would 
have retaliated mercilessly when they captured Bucharest. 

On September 4, I served an ultimatum, in behalf 
of the Germans and Turks, on Prime Minister Bratiano. 
He told me that he did not wish war with Germany, but 
I told him that the Germ.an attitude was based on the 
fact that Roumania was at war with the German Allies. 

All banking houses and business concerns belonging 




Street Group of Orientals 




Flood of Lepenitza River in Serbia 



ROUMANIA ENTERS WAR ON SIDE OF ALLIES 91 

to the Central Powers were put in charge of administra- 
tors or custodians, and the deposits of enemy subjects 
were confiscated. I appealed to the Roumanian govern- 
ment in behalf of the poorer German depositors, and as 
a result these were given an allowance of from 100 to 
500 lei a month, according to their needs. All enemy 
subjects were notified that they would be required to 
leave the city at a specified time for the places of their 
internment, otherwise they would be jailed in Bucharest. 
Among these were some Slavs of Austro-Hungary, who 
were friendly to the Entente, and I asked that they be 
exempt from this order, but as the Roumanian govern- 
ment had many important matters to occupy its atten- 
tion, it was not until I had personally visited the camps 
and given a list of names of those who were entitled to 
freedom, that my request was complied with. 

Naturally some very unfortunate errors occurred. 
In one internment camp I found a man seventy years old, 
whose two sons were officers in the Roumanian army. 
Of course, he was immediately released when this became 
known. Among the interned Germans were some priests 
and nuns, who received a little better treatment. Under 
an earlier agreement our Legation received 360,000 lei 
from Germany for the support of the Germans in Rou- 
mania, while at the same time our Embassy in Berlin 
was given 300,000 marks for the maintenance of Rou- 
manians there. 

After each airplane attack, I cabled the State Depart- 
ment, and on one Sunday morning at seven o'clock, 
I telegraphed the losses of the previous day, and added, 
"While writing this telegram eight German airplanes are 
coming to the city to do some more damage and killing." 
It was claimed that the airplane crews were attempting 
to kill the farmers while at work in the fields, and the 



92 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

very serious charge was also made that it was intended 
to kill Queen Marie and her children. It was stated that 
it was intended to drop bombs on them on a certain 
day when she was expected to visit the summer home 
of Prince Stirbey, and that the postponement of that 
visit saved her life. 

Immediately after the proclamation of war, the Ger- 
man, Austrian, Bulgarian, and Turkish Legations were 
closed and the ministers with their attaches and employees 
had to remain within doors, their food being sent to them 
by the Foreign Office. This was done for their personal 
protection, as it was deemed unsafe for them to appear 
on the streets, owing to the intense excitement that pre- 
vailed. 

Many Germans claimed exemption from internment, 
affirming that they were Roumanian citizens or pro- 
Roumanian in their sympathies, or else that old age or 
sickness justified their liberty. Hence, my office force 
had to work many hours daily investigating these differ- 
ent cases. 

The Roumanian army had been very successful, 
especially in Transylvania, but met its first great defeat 
at Tukarcaia. Various reasons were assigned for this 
defeat, but my information from a private source was that 
on the night of September 6, 1916, four Roumanian regi- 
ments were encamped near Tukarcaia, and two other regi- 
ments a short distance away. Patrols of Bulgarians 
opened fire on these groups, and returning the fire in the 
darkness, these regiments began shooting at each other. 
This lasted for about fifteen minutes, and then the order 
was given to charge with bayonets. Only when they 
were in close contact was the fatal mistake discovered, 
and the fighting discontinued. 



ROUMANIA ENTERS WAR ON SIDE OF ALLIES 93 

Meanwhile, several Bulgarian regiments began to 
fire from all sides. The Roumanians were at a great dis- 
advantage. Also the civilian population of Tukarcaia, 
mostly Bulgarians and Turks, began shooting at the 
Roumanian soldiers and drenching them with boiling 
water. 

As their position appeared hopeless, the Roumanian 
commander raised the white flag, but even then the Bul- 
garians did not cease, and in the end they had killed or 
wounded 10,000 men and taken about 25,000 prisoners. 
The escaping Roumanian soldiers fled in all directions. 
It was stated that the garrison at Tukarcaia included 
about 35,000 men, but the fate of more than half of these 
remains unknown. This was the beginning of ill fortune 
for the Roumanian side. 

There were six mountain passes into Roumania, 
Palanca, Buzeu, Predeal, Campulung, Caineni and Jiu, 
and if properly guarded by about 60,000 men each, the 
enemy would have been greatly delayed in getting into 
Roumania, and perhaps wholly prevented from making 
the invasion. An important battle was fought and won 
by Roumanians at Jiu Pass, but the commander, General 
Dragamira, was mortally wounded. He was replaced by 
General Socec, and it is claimed that during his absence 
on a visit to Bucharest, the Germans made an attack 
and captured the pass. On this charge, General Socec 
was at first convicted by a military court, but on an 
appeal he was found not guilty. 

King Ferdinand was commander in chief of the army, 
with Generals Grigoresco and Avarescu in charge of the 
first and second armies respectively. General Illiesco 
was acting chief of staff, to which place General Zlotow 
was later appointed. In a short time the latter com- 



94 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

mitted suicide, because he believed he had made some 
serious errors. The Roumanian army, after being de- 
feated in Transylvania, was forced to fight on its own 
territory. 

The bulk of the Roumanian army was made up of 
inexperienced soldiers, who to a great extent were not 
well officered. Many generals whom I knew personally, 
were not able men, and some were even strong German 
sympathizers. It was the feeling of many officers that 
their troops were not well commanded. The rank and 
file was composed of men possessing all the elements of 
good soldiers, and in close encounters they invariably 
compelled their enemies to retreat. The Roumanian 
army lacked artillery, their heaviest guns being six-inch 
and the great majority only three-inch. There was also 
a great scarcity of hand grenades, which could have been 
very effectively used. 

General Illiesco, who was chief of staff during the 
1916 campaign, stated to the press that the old Russian 
cabinet of which Mr. Sturmer was president, was respon- 
sible for the Roumanian defeats in Walachia. In con- 
nection with this he said: 

'Trom the beginning of the war our government knew 
we would have to join the Allies, and in August, 1914, 
we had already started the reorganization of our army. 
It was a difficult task, and of long duration. From the 
number of 180,000 men we had to build up an army of 
820,000 men altogether, of which 560,000 had to be ready 
for fighting. The number of officers had to be increased 
threefold, and we had no ammunition or machine guns. 

*Tt was not surprising that in July, 1916, considering 
the great difficulties regarding transportation and com- 
municating with our Western Allies, notwithstanding 





i^^^^^^^H^^I 




91 


^^^^^^^^^H^^^^^j^^fl 





A Serbian Porter 




Market Place in Nish 



ROUMANIA ENTERS WAR ON SIDE OF ALLIES 95 

all the work, Roumania was not ready. Nevertheless, 
at that time, Russia practically forced us to immediate 
action. The wording of the official document, which I 
have at your disposal, is 'Now or never.' 

"The Russian government submitted to us elaborated 
plans of action, but they had omitted to take into consid- 
eration the probable future course of Bulgaria. When 
we mentioned this, Mr. Boris Sturmer, the Russian Prime 
Minister, answered that Bulgaria would never go into 
war against Russia. V/e then requested 200,000 Russian 
soldiers for the Dobrudja front, but were told such a num- 
ber was not necessary for a purely political demonstra- 
tion. Twice we requested the Russians to start opera- 
tions against Bulgaria by occupying territory on the right 
banks of the river Danube. Taking Roustchouk would 
have been a security for our capital. The French staff 
were of the same opinion, but Russia sent us a formal 
order to abstain." 

General Illiesco gave us the exact story of the Tran- 
sylvania campaign. The first army had to turn upon the 
Jiu in the territory of Orsova. The second had to go all 
over Transylvania, and the third had to advance with the 
Russian troops of Dornavatra. 

"Unfortunately," he said, "the Russian troops did 
not advance a single yard. Today they are still at the 
same place as at the time we went into the war. This 
also compromised the Russians themselves, because quick 
action had to be taken to shorten the Transylvanian front. 

"Mr. Sturmer's government forced us to declare war, 
having need of our troops to cover the left end of the Rus- 
sian army in Bukowina. These troops had to remain 
where they were, contrary to statements made both to 
Roumania and France. The Roumanian defeat was 

7 



96 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

foreseen and planned by Mr. Sturmer, who expected 
through this to end the war. 

"I believe that when Mr. Sturmer forced us to enter 
the war, and when he organized our campaign, he expected 
to conclude a separate peace as a result of the Roumanian 
failure, and one which would not mean a Russian defeat, 
which consequently would not lessen his powers, or those 
of the Czar. 

"We have been beaten because they had a better 
commanding staff, but chiefly because of the unfair plan 
of the Germanophile party in Petrograd to sacrifice Rou- 
mania, in culmination of a long established plan. This 
was something sudden, which no Roumanian, French or 
English diplomat could foresee, and was the cause of our 
fall. 

**Do not think for a moment that there was ineffi- 
ciency on the part of the heads of the Russian troops, 
as these officers were great men. Notwithstanding our 
ill fortune, there has always been a perfect understanding 
between us and the Russians." 

About five weeks after Roumanian hostilities were 
started, I received a visit from the Prime Minister about 
atrocities committed b}^ the Bulgarians in Dobrudja. 
On the same day, our charge d'affaires in Bulgaria tele- 
graphed me that the Bulgarian government had asked 
an investigation of similar acts committed by the Rou- 
manians in the same place. After investigating, and 
finding grounds for the charges on both sides, I referred 
both complaints to the American Secretary of State. 

The Roumanians claimed that the Russians did not 
give them sufficient support, but the Russians stated 
that at the beginning of the war they offered between 
200,000 and 300,000 men to Roumania, but the Rou- 



ROUIVIANIA ENTERS WAR ON SIDE OF ALLIES 97 

manians desired only 50,000 of them. The Roumanians 
expected an early victory, and believed that if the 
majority of the fighting men was composed of Russians, 
the latter would claim all the credit, whereas they wished 
the greater part of the glory for themselves. 

The attacks of the German airplanes continued, 
which engendered so much hatred by the populace, that 
I feared, notwithstanding my protection, that some of 
the German prisoners might be killed in retaliation. 
Therefore I telegraphed my government and our Em- 
bassy in Berlin, stating that unless these attacks ceased 
immediately, I could not assure the safety of a single 
German in Roumania. After this all airplane attacks 
were stopped. 

In November, 1916, the Roumanians in Bucharest, 
fearing German occupancy, removed their official records 
and goods into Moldavia. At one time, about 15,000 
Roumanian troops crossed the Danube into Bulgaria, 
but they met with disaster, 5,000 being killed and wounded 
by airplane bombs and fire from the Austrian gunboat. 
There was no doubt that the Roumanian soldiers fought 
heroically, but lacking sufficient ammunition and being 
wholly without big guns, they did not have a chance in 
the encounter. The largest Roumanian guns were only 
six-inch, whereas the Germans employed from six- to 
fourteen-inch guns. 



CHAPTER XI 

BURIED GERMAN EXPLOSIVES FOUND IN ROUMANIAN CAP- 
ITAL — PLOT TO INOCULATE HORSES AND CATTLE 

^N October 5, 1916, the Prefect of Police of Bucharest 
asked my permission to search the building and 
the garden of the German Legation, stating he had been 
informed by the guardian that there were many bombs 
hidden in the building, and some buried in the garden. 

As representative of the German interests, I could 
not give him this permission, but he stated that if explo- 
sives were buried in the garden, it was dangerous for the 
entire city, as bombs from the airplanes might fall on that 
spot. He said he would not insist upon going into the 
building, but he felt that the garden should be thoroughly 
searched, and I therefore gave him that permission, send- 
ing the secretary of the Legation with him in order to 
have exact knowledge of what conditions might be dis- 
closed. 

After much digging, the secretary and the prefect 
reported to me that they had found fifty Bickford cords 
with charges, and fifty metal boxes of elongated rectang- 
ular form. They also found a box, inside of which there 
were six wooden cylinders, in each of which was a glass 
test tube containing a yellow liquid. On the inner 
wrapper enclosing the large box, the following inscrip- 
tion was written: 

''Very secret. To the Royal Colonel and Military Attache. 
His honor Herr von Ham t in'' 

The name had been partly erased, but distinct traces 
remained of some of the letters, and it might have been 

98 







%i^Ai& 


1 


-^■()(f»| , 












^^^^! 







Roumanian King Addressing People 




Mountain IIukn Blowers in Rolalvma 



GERMAN EXPLOSIVES IN ROUMANIAN CAPITAL 99 

Hammerstein. Within the box was a typewritten note 
as follows: 

'^Herewith four tubes for horses and four for horned 
cattle. For use as directed. Each tube is sufficient for 
200 head. If possible administer direct through the 
animal's mouth, if not, in its fodder. 

*' Should be much obliged for a little report on success 
with you. If there should be good news to report, Herr 
K's presence here for a day desirable." 

They brought the bombs and boxes to the American 
Legation, but I ordered their immediate removal, fearing 
an accidental explosion. The prefect sealed the boxes 
and sent some of them to the laboratories for analysis 
and test. Later, the Royal Pyrotechnical Laboratory 
of Bucharest reported by letter that the contents of the 
bombs were of very high explosive character. The Rou- 
manian Institute of Pathology and Bacteriology also 
reported that the liquid in the test tubes would inocu- 
late horses and cattle with infectious diseases of deadly 
character. 

The Russians had promised to furnish Roumania with 
2,800 carloads of ammunition, but had sent her only 100 
carloads before the opening of hostilities, and no more 
was sent thereafter. It was claimed that Prime Minister 
Sturmer of Russia had all the other cars of ammunition 
sidetracked in Russia, and that when he assured the Rou- 
manians the Bulgarians would not make war on them, 
he knew that the Bulgarians desired the war. 

I could obtain very little definite information from 
any source regarding the Roumanian military situation, 
until Mr. Stanley Washburn, an American, and represen- 
tative of the ''London Times," came to Bucharest. He 
was allowed to go to the front with the Roumanian Army, 



100 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

and upon his return from Transylvania, he said to me in 
confidence, "Poor Roumania is lost." This was heart- 
breaking, as my sympathy with the people among whom 
I was living was very great, but his opinion was confirmed 
by all the information I could obtain later from the high- 
est sources. 

By invitation, on October 1, 1 accompanied the queen 
to her hospital in the Royal Palace. She went from room 
to room, speaking to the wounded soldiers and giving 
them cigars, cigarettes, or candy from a tray carried by 
Prince Nicolai. She was utterly downcast, and the tears 
continually rolled down her cheeks. She afterwards ex- 
pressed to me great fear that if the Germans captured 
Bucharest, these wounded soldiers, who would be unable 
to leave, would meet their death. 

My colleagues, the foreign ministers, were nervous and 
were making preparations to move with the royal family 
to Jassy. The English, Russian, Italian and Serbian min- 
isters requested me to take charge of their interests in 
Roumania, and with these and Turkey, Germany, Rou- 
mania, and my own country, I had the honor and responsi- 
bility of representing eight nations. Also I was to take 
care of the French and Belgian interests from the time the 
minister of Holland was recalled. The foreign ministers 
soon departed, and the secretary of our Legation, accom- 
panied by the military attache and two American officers, 
also went to Jassy. The king left on December 2, and 
the next day the Prime Minister and other officials fol- 
lowed, leaving the people in a state of great depression. 
I also experienced a sense of desolation. 

In war times the envoys and consuls are sometimes 
justified in exceeding their authority, especially as un- 
certain delivery of mail or telegrams makes it impossible 



GERMAN EXPLOSIVES IN ROUMANIAN CAPITAL 101 

to receive official instructions in time. One case of this 
kind I recall was in November, when it appeared that the 
Roumanians would be obliged to retreat from Walachia. 
Mr. Everett Sadler, in charge of the Standard Oil Com- 
pany's interests in Roumania, urged me to go to Ploesti 
to assure the safety of the Americans working there. 
From what he told me, it was certain that the danger was 
great. But I could not leave my post and I could not 
wait for instructions from the Department of State, as 
the enemy might capture the town at any time, and was 
likely to accord the Americans no better treatment than 
the natives. 

I therefore appointed Mr. Sadler a vice-consul, giving 
him an official seal and a sign which he could place on 
the building, showing that it was occupied by an Ameri- 
can vice-consul; first having him furnish me the bond 
required from such officials. We next secured the con- 
firmation of the Roumanian government, and he returned 
to Ploesti, where he put up his sign reading, ''Office of 
the American Vice-Consul," and when the Germans came, 
all the American employes and their families took refuge 
in this building. The Germans respected the sign, and 
none of the occupants were molested. 

At the time of Mr. Sadler's appointment, he handed 
me his signed resignation for use when desired. As a 
matter of fact, I had no right to appoint a vice-consul 
when no American consulate existed there. If there had 
been such in Roumania, with the consul temporarily ab- 
sent, I would have had the right to make such an appoint- 
ment. I unhesitatingly exceeded my authority, for the 
protection of American citizens, and I notified the State 
Department of my action, but before my dispatch arrived 



102 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

in Washington, Mr. Sadler had resigned as vice-consul 
and was on his way to America. 

After the loss of Tukarcaia, the next great loss the 
Roumanians sustained was the taking of Constanza on 
October 7, by the German and Bulgarian troops. The 
enemy v/ent in that direction as far as Harchova. In the 
west, the Roumanians lost Crajova and a part of the Olt 
River. After this river was crossed, Pitcsti was taken, 
and then the enemy marched southeast and captured 
Titu. The Roumanian army operating at Campulung 
retired across the mountains to Campina, and from 
there endeavored to reach Ploesti. The Germans were 
forcing the Roumanian army near Bucharest and north 
towards Ploesti. 

The Bulgarian troops crossed the Danube near Zim- 
nicea, and also near Oltenitza, and were fighting near 
Bucharest, together with the army coming from Crajova. 
On Sunday, December 3, the battle ended in favor of 
the Germans, the Roumanians retired to the east of 
the city, and it was generally expected that Bucharest 
would be obliged to surrender on the next day. 

That afternoon I was told that in the morning the 
Roumanians had taken about 5,000 German prisoners, 
but in the afternoon the enemy was reinforced by General 
Falkenhayn's troops, and then the Germans not only 
retook their soldiers who had been captured, but also 
made some of the Roumanians prisoners. 

The civil population of Bucharest was in panic. So 
many fled from the city, that there were only about 
150,000 inhabitants remaining. On the next day many 
Russian soldiers arrived on foot in Bucharest, and they 
strenuously opposed capitulation. It appeared that the 
Russians did not arrive in time on Sunday to reinforce 
the Roumanians because of the bad conditions of trans- 




Serbian Peasants 




Peasant Girl from Prahova, Roumania 



GERMAN EXPLOSIVES IN ROUMANIAN CAPITAL 103 

portation, the Roumanians having only one main line 
over which they could come, and that could not provide 
sufficient accommodation and therefore they Vv^ere obliged 
to march on foot. 

Following the departure of the court from Bucharest, 
the people were very nervous, and feared that the enemy 
would murder many inhabitants and commit all manner 
of crimes. I gave them assurance that their fears were 
groundless, and succeeded in quieting them. 

The new Prefect of Police, General Mustatsi, issued a 
proclamation, calling upon the people of the city to re- 
ceive the enemy hospitably, requiring that all houses be 
left open and all arms of every description be delivered 
at once to the town hall, and that no injuiy to the invad- 
ing army be attempted. The penalty for disobeying 
this order was death by shooting. 

Many prominent ladies came to the Legation, asking 
permission to sleep there, and there were between five and 
six thousand women and children in the street asking for 
protection. 

The last man who left Bucharest before the city was 
taken by the Germans, was General Stefanik, who was 
there with the French flying corps, and who afterwards 
was the first minister of war of the Czecho-Slovak 
Republic. Owing to illness he was unable to leave any 
earlier. He asked me to send my chauffeur with him to 
the headquarters of the Roumanian General Staff, but 
when he arrived there he found that his aii*plane was 
out of order and could not be used. 

My chauffeur had to take him to Ploesti, from v/hich 
city he escaped in the nick of time. On the return trip 
to Bucharest, within about an hour my car passed through 
the advance lines of the Germans on their way to 



104 



SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 



Ploesti. The Germans, 
Hungarians, would have 
General Stefanik. 



and especially the Austro- 
been very glad to capture 



CHAPTER XII 

BUCHAREST TAKEN BY ARMY OF CENTRAL POWERS — 
RIGOROUS RULE OF VON MACKENSEN 

N THE evening of the fourth of December, a blind- 
folded emissary of von Mackensen's arrived in Bu- 
charest, bringing an ultimatum to the effect that unless 
the city was surrendered within twenty-four hours it 
would be bombarded. The next day, the mayor of the 
city asked me to go with him on the following morning 
to meet the Germans on the outskirts of the city, where 
he would discuss the surrender. 

Early in the morning of the sixth I was summoned 
to the office of the Minister of Interior, and at nine o'clock, 
the mayor in his automobile, bearing a huge white flag, 
followed by the Holland Minister and myself in our cars, 
with our respective flags flying, went to the outskirts of the 
city to meet the Germans by appointment. We waited 
over two hours, meanwhile hearing firing in the direction 
of Chitila, but as the Germ.ans did not appear, we returned 
to the city. 

Half an hour later the German troops began to enter 
the city. I was again summoned to the City Hall, where 
I found Prince Schaumburg-Lippe, with five other officers, 
who came to receive a proposal for the surrender of the 
city, which they were to convey to General Falkenhayn. 
The mayor signed the capitulation with tears in his eyes 
and handed it to the Germans. Prince Schaumburg- 
Lippe laughed when I said to him, '*I am sorry you did 
not keep your word. You said when you left you would 
come back in six months, but you have returned in three." 

105 



106 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

The German troops who were then arriving appeared 
to range from sixteen to sixty years in age ; their uniforms 
were ragged and dirty, and they looked weary and hag- 
gard. But as they marched, they sang ''Deutschland 
ueber Alles" and "Heimat," and they were doubtless very 
much cheered by the gifts of flowers and cigarettes which 
were freely offered by the women. A few of these were 
natives, who evidently intended to placate the invaders, 
and seemed much relieved that the soldiers did not imme- 
diately start murder and pillage. But most of them were 
German, Austrian, and Bulgarian actresses, who had 
been released from internment the day before. That 
evening all the officers of the German staff came to the 
Legation to pay their respects to me. They chatted 
freely about the campaign against Roumania, and ex- 
pressed the wish that all others might be as easily con- 
ducted and with such small loss to them. The next day 
I received the following letter: 

"The Foreign Office has the honor to confirm the 
receipt of the reports from the American Legation in 
Bucharest, from the beginning of the war up to the end of 
September, in regard to the Germans who stayed in Rou- 
mania, and has the honor to express to the Minister the 
thanks of the German Government for his valuable ser- 
vice and for the sending of the reports." 

The day after von Mackensen's military government 
assumed control of Bucharest, the following proclama- 
tion was posted on all the government buildings: 

To THE Inhabitants of the City of Bucharest 

The city of Bucharest is now occupied by my troops and is 
under martial law. 

We are at war only against the Roxmianian and Russian army 
not against the Roumanian people. 




Roumanian Wedding 



fm^ ■ •i.-^MMj^^ 




Guests at the Wedding 



I 



BUCHAREST TAKEN BY CENTRAL POWERS 107 

Those who offer no resistance to, my army, and wilHngly sub- 
mit to the orders of the miUtary authorities and their deputies, 
their life and property is secure. But whoever does injury to 
the troops in my command or attempts to give aid to the Rou- 
manian and Russian army, against which we are fighting, will be 
punished with death. 

In case of any opposition to my troops, either from the civilian 
population or the civil officials, the city of Bucharest will be 
held responsible and may expect the severest measures for punish- 
ment. 

The Commander-in-chief, 

(Signed) V. Mackensen. 
General Field Marshal and General Adjutant. 

Headquarters, December 6, 1916.* 

All inhabitants of Bucharest were ordered to turn in 
to German Headquarters, at once, two-thirds of all their 
provisions and supplies on hand. A short time after they 
were again required to make another division of the 
meagre remainder of their supplies. Disobedience of 
this order was very severely punished. 

German reporters, who came with the victorious 



* (Original) 

An die Einwohner der Stadt Bukarest 

Die Stadt Bukarest ist von meinen Truppen besetzt; sie steht unter dem 
Kriegsrecht. 

Wir fuehren den Krieg nur gegen die rumaenische und russische Armee, 
nicht gegen das rumaenische Volk. 

Wer meinem Herre keinen Widerstand en'tgegensetzt vmd sich den Anord- 
nungen der militaerischen Befehlshaber und ihrer Beauftragten willig unterwirft, 
dessen Leben und Eigentum ist in Sicherheit. 

Wer es aber unternimmt den mir unter stellten Truppen Nachteil zuzufuegen 
Oder dem rumaenischen und russischen Herre, gegen das wir kaempfen, Vorschub 
zu leisten, wird mit dem Tode bestraft. 

Fuer jeden Widerstand, der meinen Truppen von seiten der Zivilbevoel- 
kerung einschliesslich der Zivilbeamten entgegengesetzt wird, wird die Stadt 
Bukarest zur Verantwortung gezogen und hat die schwersten Zwangsmassnahmen 
zu erwarten. 

Der Oberbefehlshaber, 

V. Mackensen. 
Generalfeldmarschall und General-Adjutant. 
H. Qu., 6 Dezember, 1916. 



108 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

army, greatly praised the valor of the Roumanian sol- 
diers, mentioning that some three hundred of them, who 
were unarmed, were discovered crawling toward the Ger- 
man lines, evidently intending to capture some of the 
enemy's arms, and that all were killed by German 
artillery. 

I v/as frequently asked what my attitude would be, 
and particularly if I intended to call on General von 
Mackensen. I stated I would call on him only if invited 
to do so. He did not invite me, but one day when he 
was walking on the street, with a detective in front and 
another behind, I was in my auto, which bore the Ameri- 
can flag, and he saluted and I raised my hat. His fea- 
tures were of a pleasant type, and I was informed that 
he was very agreeable in manner and well liked by the 
ladies of Bucharest. 

Before the arrival of the Germans, I told the American 
residents to fly the American flag from their windows, 
in order that the Germans might not molest them. Two 
weeks later, a German colonel, who was quartermaster, 
called at the Legation, sending his card to me. When he 
came in my office he was accompanied by an ill-looking 
civilian, and I said, "I did not receive any card for your 
companion, so please tell him to leave, as I am not ready 
to receive him." 

The colonel told me that the other was head of the 
secret service, and that he wished him present during our 
conversation. I refused consent and the man retired. 
Then I explained that it was proper to send in the cards 
of all the party. This colonel was bitter toward all Ameri- 
cans, because when he was fighting in France he was 
wounded by a shell made in America. In a high-handed 
manner he said I had no right to advise Americans to put 



BUCHAREST TAKEN BY CENTRAL POWERS 109 

out their flags, and he demanded that I order them re- 
moved. I replied that the order was also for the benefit 
of the Germans, as if any Americans had been attacked, 
it would have put the Germans in a dangerous position, 
and therefore they should thank me for the precaution. 

He did not press the point further, but inquired then 
who were the occupants of a building across the street. 
I said that my clerk. Miss Palmer, lived there, and he 
asked if he could enter a house where the American flag 
was out. I told him Miss Palmer occupied only the sec- 
ond floor and had nothing to do with the rest of the house. 
Later that day he sent soldiers, who removed all the 
valuables from the remainder of the house, but they care- 
fully avoided Miss Palmer's apartment. 

One evening I attended a reception at the home of 
one of the social leaders, but as it was apparent from the 
conversation that society, as it existed then, was decidedly 
pro-German, I thenceforth accepted no more invitations, 
because of my neutral position. 

I now held daily conferences with the civil governor 
of Bucharest, to whom I reported all complaints. In 
the first two days there were thirty cases of robbery and 
heinous attacks on helpless women by soldiers. I urged 
the governor to take preventive steps, and he then 
placed six soldiers on guard at the crossings, to whom 
complaints could be made, and this acted very effectively 
as a check. The Germans always claimed the Bulgarians 
committed the crimes, while the latter placed the blame 
on the Austrians, who in turn charged the Turks with 
them. The women were unable to identify their assail- 
ants, as the soldiers generally remained in the city only 
a day or two. 

I thanked the governor for his precautions, and told 



110 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

him it was far better to be decent than to repeat the acts 
of the Germans in Belgium. He was ver>^ boastful, and 
asserted Germany would win the war even if America 
entered against her. I silenced this boasting by offering 
to make a liberal bet that Germany would lose if our 
country took part; his tongue was very loquacious, but 
his money was unable to talk. 

On New Year's Day I wished to send a telegram to 
the Czar of Bulgaria, as I had done each year, but General 
von Mackensen refused to allow it, stating that the Kaiser 
had ordered that no Nev/ Year telegrams be sent from the 
front. I informed him that I was not at the front, and 
anyway that I would not take orders from the Kaiser, 
not being accredited to his country. Then I sent the 
telegram through the Bulgarian secretary, and received 
an answer in a few days. 

One of the first acts of the Germans after occupymg 
Bucharest was to remove all the telephones. They 
then strung their own wires and installed instruments 
only where they wished them. My telephone and 
that of the Holland Minister were allowed to remain. 

The Germans took over all the first and second class 
hotels and restaurants at once, and the public was allowed 
only in those of lower grade. I was invited to eat with the 
Germans in the Casino, but I could not accept because of 
my neutrality. My staff and I v/ere accorded the freedom 
of all the restaurants. It was the custom of the officers 
and soldiers at first to order what they chose in the res- 
taurants, cafes and stores, and to make no payment. 
The proprietors protested to me and I arranged with the 
governor that each soldier should leave a written acknowl- 
edgment of his debt. 

The first few days the restaurants were ordered to 




At the Baths in Tekirkial 




Bulgarian Beauties 



BUCHAREST TAKEN BY CENTRAL POWERS 111 

serve everything they had to the officers, but as the sup- 
plies soon ran low, it was then ordered that only one kind 
of meat should be served, and each person was required 
to give a certificate for what he was served. 

In a short time I had a disagreement with the Ger- 
man police, but in the end had my own way. I had been 
issuing passports, with the consent of the Roumanian 
authorities, to the Germans and Turks, whose countries 
I represented, in exchange for the passports of their 
countries, and when the Germans took possession of Bu- 
charest, I asked the governor for similar authority in 
behalf of the subjects of the other countries I represented. 
After examining the form, he gave consent, but stipulated 
that I show the form to the captain of police, who was 
known to have been very cruel in Belgium. When I 
showed the form to the captain, he said, **Mr. Minister, 
you will not make out any passports, I will do it myself." 
I answered, " I did not come here to ask you for any ad- 
vice or instructions. I arranged with the governor as 
to what is to be done, and I stopped here at his request, 
merely to show you what will be done." 

The next day he telephoned that he was coming to 
see me. I began immediately to make out passports 
and issue them, and continued to do so. He made no 
further attempt to interfere with me, and in a few days 
he was sent away from Bucharest. 

The subjects of the other countries were in line daily 
at the Legation to procure passports. Frequently those 
who were found without them on the streets were arrested, 
and as they were shifted from one jail to another, it was 
then difficult to locate them. Therefore men sometimes 
fought for precedence in the line. One morning I saw 
a man about seventy-five years old pushed from the 

8 



112 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

line and knocked down. I went out immediately and 
announced that because of that action I would issue no 
passports that day except to that one old man. The 
punishment was severe for the rest of them, but there- 
after no more rough conduct occurred. 

Mr. Marghiloman, who remained in Bucharest as 
head of the Roumanian Red Cross, was also known as 
one of the leading pro-Germans, but he had to ask my 
assistance in procuring the release of some people who 
had been arrested. We secured the discharge of some 
of them, but the others were interned for eleven days. 
When I protested to the governor, he said it was only 
retaliation for similar acts on the part of the Roumanians. 
And this I knew was the truth, as many people were 
imprisoned for a short time, and those known to be very 
antagonistic to the Central Powers were sent to Bulgaria 
and Germany, and there interned. 

One day, Princess Bibesco, vv^ho was in charge of a 
Roumanian hospital, came to me in great alarm, stating 
that some valuables belonging to a German soldier 
patient had disappeared in the night and she feared the 
consequences. I went with her to the German hospital 
management .and reported the matter, asking an investi- 
gation, and fortunately it was discovered that a German 
attendant was the thief. 

Princess Cantacuzene was in charge of a hospital 
with over four hundred patients, and was unable to get 
fuel or a sufficient supply of food, and the patients were 
in great distress. As her appeals to the German authori- 
ties were ignored, she indulged in some very plain talk 
which was reported to German headquarters, and in 
consequence she was ordered to remain at home forty- 
eight hours as a punishment. 



BUCHAREST TAKEN BY CENTRAL POWERS 113 

The Roumanians complained that the Germans took 
everything they desired for their own use, and did not 
hesitate to deprive the poor of all they possessed, even 
leaving them without food or the means to procure it. 
They certainly took all the wines and delicacies from 
the homes of the well-to-do. It was also charged that 
horses had been stabled in Roumanian churches, but I 
know of no proof of such accusation. The royal palaces 
were not disturbed, and I was told this was due to respect 
for former King Carol, who was a friend to Germany. 

Under the German rule, the old mayor, Mr. Petrescu, 
was retired, and Colonel Verzea appointed in his place. 
Also, eleven members of the council were removed and 
eleven friends of the Germans substituted. The Jews 
had expected representation in the new council, but in 
this they were disappointed. 

Before the entrance of the Germans, all the wounded 
Roumanian soldiers who could be moved were sent to 
other places in Moldavia, but many badly wounded 
were left behind. Nearly all the Roumanian doctors 
had gone into the army, so that very few remained. In 
one of the hospitals there were 300 wounded men under 
the care of Doctor Bayne of Washington, who worked 
tirelessly day and night. He remained in Bucharest 
up to June, 1918, and I spoke to the queen and the 
Prime Minister of his work, and he received a high 
decoration from the King, for distinguished services. 

The nurses and attendants in Doctor Bayne's hospital 
were fearful that they would be imprisoned by the 
Germans, and I was obliged to give a personal guarantee 
that they would not be molested if they remained at 
their posts. 

Among the prominent people in Bucharest during 



114 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

the German occupation were Messrs. Peter Carp and 
Alexander Marghiloman, and also some officers in the 
Roumanian army, all of whom turned out to be German 
sympathizers. Among them was Prince Sturdza, who 
had been sentenced to death by the Roumanian military 
court in Jassy because of a plot to entrap the Roumanian 
army and compel its surrender. He was the son-in-law 
of Mr. Peter Carp, and under the administration ap- 
pointed by the Germans he was allowed to escape to 
Germany. 

During the war, many American colored men passed 
through the Balkan states, traveling from one country 
to another and giving entertainments. Groups of from 
four to ten came to the Legation in Bucharest and asked 
me to help them to get to Russia, where they could earn 
more money. Being so many of them, I required that 
all should demonstrate to me what kind of entertainment 
they could provide. In one case, two of them who were 
standing close to me when the question was asked, 
made a lightning change, and within a minute they 
appeared as camels. Another set, who were waiting 
for passports, I asked to sing, and they rendered ''My 
Old Kentucky Home" so well that I not only granted 
them permission to go, but advanced money for their 
expenses as well. I made a number of similar loans, 
but, unfortunately for me, not one has ever been repaid. 




Monuments on Tombs of Serbian Soldiers 




Monuments to Serbian Soldiers Who Fell on the 
Battlefield, Erected in their Villages 



CHAPTER XIII 

AN AMERICAN REPORTER'S VIEWS — THE AMERICAN 
LEGATION OUSTED 

THE Germans, during the occupation of Walachia, 
made themselves fully at home there. They printed 
and put into circulation 2,200,000,000 lei, Roumanian 
currency, and thereby created an indebtedness for Rou- 
mania, which they had no right to do. With this money 
they paid the different bills of their government. 

When the Germans took possession of Bucharest, 
their troops brought with them the German people 
interned in different places in Roumania, whom the 
Roumanians could not take along to Moldavia, also 
many German refugees from Transylvania, and then 
they established public kitchens for them. In these 
places they served good food, especially pork and beans. 

On the other hand, the poor Roumanian women, 
wives of the soldiers who were with the Roumanian army 
in Moldavia, and their children, were in a very bad 
position. No money was left for their support and 
nothing could be bought in the open market for their 
relief. There was only one public kitchen opened, with 
the help of the Roumanian Red Cross, but it was very 
small and gave relief only to very few. I tried to better 
the conditions of these people, of which daily there 
were about five to six thousand in the street opposite 
the Legation, asking for support. I made some ten per 
cent of these women, about six hundred of them, sign 
a petition to the mayor of the city, asking for help. 
I then wrote a letter to the new mayor, and asked him to 
let me know whether he would take care of these people 

115 



116 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

or not, or if there was any money left for their support. 
I never received any answer to my letter, but a few 
days after, I read in the German paper, the only one 
which was published in Bucharest, that all these women 
who signed the petition in the American Legation received 
thirteen francs each, and those who did not sign received 
only three francs. From that time on all the women 
wanted to sign a petition, and that certainly was not 
very pleasant for me. 

I telegraphed to the Roumanian government in 
Jassy to send a few million lei to the National Bank of 
Roumania in Bucharest, but received no answer. Prob- 
ably the message was not delivered. Then I applied to 
America, asking that the Swiss Red Cross visit Bucharest 
and work there. 

When the Germans arrived at Bucharest, there was 
neither wood nor coal anywhere, and one can imagine 
how the people lived and suffered, as they had no fuel 
to prepare their meals. I remember one case when a 
Turkish lady gave birth to a baby. As she had no coal, 
her neighbors came to me and asked me to provide 
wood and milk for the baby, which I gladly did out 
of my small supply. 

The first American reporter to visit Bucharest with 
the German troops, sent the following to his newspaper 
in America: 

" Our flag floats over six Legations here, and the Ameri- 
can Minister, with his staff of twenty clerks, is the busiest 
man in Bucharest. When Roumania declared war, and 
later, at the capture of Roumania by the Germans, com- 
pelling the diplomatic and consular representatives of 
the various warring powers to leave the city, most of 
them entrusted the interests of their coimtries to Mr. 



AN AMERICAN REPORTER'S VIEWS 117 

Vopicka, with the result that to-day he is looking after 
the affairs of eight nations, including his own. 

"Germany and Turkey said to him, * Kindly take 
charge of our affairs,* when they made their hurried exit 
from Roumania at the end of August, 1916. England, 
Russia, Italy and Serbia said the same when the 
Roumanian government fled to Jassy at the threat of 
von Mackensen's approach to Bucharest. Roumania 
herself also requested his good offices in the matter of 
numerous details as to which she felt he might profitably 
intervene with the conqueror. The result is that our 
flag is the best known in Bucharest, and for more than 
a week after the German entry, it floated over the 
entrance of the ornate building of the German Legation 
in the Galea Victoriei. Then the Germans got them- 
selves adjusted, thanked Vopicka and took charge of 
their own affairs. 

"*I think my neutrality is pretty well established,' 
he said to the 'Tribune' to-day, 'for of the seven countries 
I have been representing of late, five are at war with the 
other two.' 

"Furthermore, the Portuguese, the Argentinians, the 
Japanese, the Chinese and men of other nations which 
have no diplomatic or consular representatives in Bucha- 
rest, come to Vopicka with troubles. The Jews, whose 
troubles are, as usual, numerous, regard him as a father. 
Roumanian washwomen who cannot obtain coal from 
the authorities of their own city, turn to Vopicka and 
demand coal not as a favor but as a right. 

"I was sitting in the Legation when one of these 
requests came in. A legation clerk laid it before the 
minister with the remark that the woman's request did 
not seem justified in view of the supply she had already 



118 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

received. *Yes,' said the minister, *if she is not lying 
now, she lied the first time/ 'Possibly both times,' 
said the clerk. 'Nevertheless,' said the Minister, 'give 
her the coal.' 

"With his motto of 'No monkey business,' the 
Chicagoan has probably been more useful in these times 
than any other diplomat in the Balkans. His line of 
conduct has been simple and direct, and in the most 
distracting times and among the most devious people in 
the world, simplicity and directness have carried him 
through. Two principles have guided him, and he voiced 
them to me in these words: 'They must first look up to 
your country, and then they must respect you.' The 
other principle : ' You must be firm and do justice to all, 
and stand by in every complication and with every 
nationality. 

"'We have tried to remember that in this Legation, 
and that is why Germans, Russians, Jews, Portuguese, 
Chinese and Japanese have passed with equal confidence 
the fiag that hangs over our doors.'" 

After about six weeks, the Germans thought that 
their purpose would be best served if there was no foreign 
representative in Bucharest, and on the eleventh day of 
January, 1917, I received a communication from the 
von Mackensen government that I was recalled by my 
government, that a diplomatic train would be ready for 
me in two days, and that I should give the number of 
persons and also the amount of baggage I wished to take 
with me. 

The first trouble I had with the von Mackensen 
government was when they opened the Russian Consulate 
which was under care of our Legation and on whose 
doors were fixed our seals. I therefore sent a letter to 
the German military government as follows: 



pfl^:';^ 




Fortress Hotin in Bessarabia (Fifteenth Century) 




German Prisoners in Roumania 



AN AMERICAN REPORTER'S VIEWS 119 

Bucharest, Jan. 2, 1917* 

I have just been informed that the guardian of the Russian 
consulate, Vasile Jacovilew, was arrested yesterday, January 1, 
at 3 o'clock, and that the seals at the two back entrances of the 
Consulate, which were put there by the American Legation, have 
been tampered with, as I have personally ascertained. Further- 
more, the seals of the German government were put on the 
front entrance across those of the American Legation. 

I am further informed that four officers and one civilian 
entered the building of the Russian Consulate, today, the 2d of 
January, at about 8 o'clock in the morning, in order to seal the 
rooms, which were already sealed with the seals of this Legation, 
with those of the German government. 

I am therefore taking the liberty to protest against this pro- 
cedure, which is against all international agreements and without 
precedent, and I would therefore be very grateful to the Imperial 
German Government if it would kindly furnish me with the 
reason for this action in order to enable me to inform my govern- 
ment regarding this case. 

I am further taking the liberty of asking that Vasile Jacovilew 
be set at liberty — this man is now in the employ of the American 
Legation — in order to enable him to look after the building of 
the Russian Consulate as heretofore. 

I beg the Imperial German Government to accept the assur- 
ances of my highest esteem. 
American Minister. 

* {Original) 

BuKAREST, den 2 Januar, 1917 

Ich werdc soeben davon verstaendigt, dass der Hueter des russischen 
Konsulats, Vasile Jacovilew, gestern Montag den 1 Januar um 3 uhr nach- 
mittags verhaftet wurde, und dass, wie ich mich persoenlich ueberzeugen konnte, 
die Siegel der amerikanischen Gesandtschaft, die an den beiden rueckwaertigen 
Eingaengen des russischen Konsulats angebracht waren, verletzt worden sind, 
und femer das der Haupteingang, der ebenfalls mit dem Siegel dieser Gesandt- 
schaft versehen war ausserdem noch mit dem Siegel des kaiserlich deutschen 
Gouvernements versehen wurde. 

Es begaben sich, wie ich ferner verstaendigt werde, heute den 2 Januar 
gegen 8 Uhr morgens, 4 Offiziere und ein Zivilist in das Gebaeude des russischen 
Konsulats um die Innenraeumlichkeiten, die bereits die Siegel dieser Gesandt- 
schaft tragen, auch mit den Siegeln des kaiserlich deutschen Gouvernements 
zu versehen. 

Ich erlaube mir nunmehr ergebenst gegen dieses Vorgehen zu protestieren, 
welches gegen alle internationalen Vereinbarungen ist und ohne Prezedensfall 



120 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

On January 8 I received the following answer:* 

Kaiser I. Government 

of the 

Fortress of Bucharest. 

Political Division 

No. 1064. Bucharest, January 8, 1917. 

Your Excellency is hereby notified by the Imperial Government 
that the Russian Consulate is sealed by the secret field police of 
O. K. M. and therefore stands under German protection. 

To inform your Excellency if and why the rooms of the 
Consulate were searched, the Commander-in-chief must decline. 

The matter of the liberation of the Russian subject, Vasile 
Jacovilew, will be decided in the regular way. 

For the Government, 
Chief of the General Staff, 
{Signed) Freiherr von Stolzenberg, 

Lieut.-Col. 
To His Excellency 

The American Minister, 
Mr. Vopicka. 



dasteht, und waere dem kaiserlich deutschen Gouvernement sehr dankbar, 
v/enn es die Guete haben wuerde, mich ueber den Grund dieses Vorgehens auf- 
zuklaeren, damit ich meinem Gouvernement die noetigen Informationen, diesen 
Fall betreffend, zugehen lassen kann. 

Ich erlaube mir auch ergebenst die Freilassung des Vasile Jacovilew zu 
beantragen, — derselbe steht nunmehr in den Diensten der anierikanischen 
Gesandtschaft — damit er nach wie vor einen Posten als Hueter des russischen 
Konsulats, versehen kann. 

Ich bitte das kaiserlich deutsche Gouvernement den Ausdruck meiner vor- 
zueglichen Hochachtung entgegennehmen zu wollen. 

Amerikanischer Gesandter. 

* (Original) 

Kaiser I. Gouvernement der 
Festung Bukarest. 
Politische Abteilung 
No. 1064. 

Bukarest, den 8 Januar, 1917. 

Eurer Exzellenz teilt das kaiserliche Gouvernement ergebenst mit, dass 
das russische Konsulat von der geh Feldpolizei des O. K. M. versiegelt ist und 
damit unter deutschen Schutze steht. 



AN AMERICAN REPORTER'S VIEWS 121 

On the 10th of January I received the following:* 

Headquarters, January 10, 1917. 
The Foreign Office in Berlin announces that all diplomatic 
representatives of the neutral States, who still remain in Bucha- 
rest, are recalled. 

For the departure of the ministers, their families and their 
diplomatic personnel, the Commander-in-chief of von Mackensen's 
army has placed special cars in readiness for the trip by way of 
Budapest to Berlin on the 12th or 13th of January. 

The exact hour of departure will be announced at the latest 
ten hours before the departure. 

The Commander-in-chief begs you to give an approximate 
list of the persons who will leave, and hov/ much space is neces- 
sary for baggage. 

By order of the Commander-in-chief, 
per order 
Chief Quartermaster, 
To the Minister of the {Signed) Heutsch, 

United States of North America, Colonel. 

Mr. Vopicka, Bucharest. 



Eurer Exzellenz mitzuteilen, ob und warum in Konsulats Raeumen Durch- 
suchungen stattgefunden haben, lehnt das Oberkommando ab. 

Ueber die Freilassung des russischen Staatsangehoerigen Vasile Jacovilew 
wird auf dem ordnungsmaessigen Wege entschieden werden. 

Von Seiten des Goiivernemenls, 

Der Chef des Generalslabs, 
Seiner Exzellenz, Freiherr von Stolzenberg 

dem Amerikanischen Gesandten, Oberstleutenant. 

Herrn Vopicka, 

* {Original). 

Oberkommando der Heeresgruppe 

VON Mackensen 
Pol. No. 3850. 

H. Qu., den 10 Januar, 1917. 

Das Auswaertige Amt Berlin teilt mit, dass alle in Bukarest zurueckge- 
bliebenen diplomatischen Vertretungen der neutralen Staaten abberufen sind. 

Fuer die Abreise der Herren Gesandten, ihrer Angehoerigen und des diplo- 
matisciien Personal stellt das Oberkommando der Heeresgruppe v. Mackensen 
am 12. Oder 13. Januar Sonderwagen zur Reise ueber Budapest nach Berlin bereit. 
Die genaue Abfahrtstunde wird spaetestens 10 Stunden vor der Abfahrt mit- 
geteilt. 



122 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

On the 11th of January I received the following 
letter:* 

Headquarters, January 11, 1917. 
For the door-keepers, clerks or servants left in the Legations 
and Consulates, no identification cards can be made out from 
here. But there is nothing in the way of the American Legation 
giving credentials to the above mentioned persons. 

It is understood that after the departure of the ministers of 
the neutral countries, the protection of the Legation and Consular 
buildings will be taken over by the German military authorities. 

By order of the Commander-in-chief, 

per order 

Chief Quartermaster, 

{Signed) Heutsch, 
To the Minister of the United States^ Colonel. 

Mr. Vopicka, Bucharest. 



Das Oberkommando bittet umgehend eine namentliche Liste der abrei- 
senden Personen einreichen und angeben zu wollen, und wieviel Platz ungefaehr 
fuer Gepaeck beansprucht wird. 

Von Seiten des Oberkommandos 
Im Aiijtrage, 
An aen Herrn Gesandten der Der Oberquartiermeisler, 

Vereinigten Staaten von Nordamerika, Heutsch, 

Herrn Vopicka, Hochwohlgeboren, Bukarest. Obersl. 

*{Original). 

Oberkommando der Heeresgruppe 

VON Mackensen 

Pol. No. 3863. 

H, Qu., den 11 Januar, 1917. 

Fuer die in den Gesandtschaften und Konsulaten zurueckbleibenden Thuer- 
hueter, Angestellten oder Diener koennen von hieraus keine Identifikations- 
karten ausgestellt werden. Es steht aber nichts im Wege, dass den betreffenden 
Personen Ausweise der amerikanischen Gesandtschaft in die Hand gegeben 
werden. 

Es ist selbstverstaendlicli, dass nach der Abreise der Herren Gesandten der 
neutralen Staaten der Schutz der Gesandtschaften und Konsulatsgebaeude von 
den deutschen Militaerbehoerden wahrgenommen wird. 

Von Seiten des Oberkommandos, 
Im Atiftrage 
An den Herrn Gesandten der Der Oberquartiermeisler, 

Vereinigten Staaten von Nordamerika, Heutsch, 

Herrn Vopicka, Hochwohlgeboren, Bukarest. Oberst. 




Scene at a Railway Station in Serbia 




Roumanian Peasant Bride and Groom 



AN AMERICAN REPORTER'S VIEWS 123 

On January 11, 1917, 1 sent two letters to the German 
government. In answer to their letter of the 10th, I 
stated that I had received no notice from my govern- 
ment that I was recalled, and would like to know where 
the von Mackensen government had received the infor- 
mation that I was recalled. I stated that I had recently 
received a telegram, in which not a single mention was 
made about my revoke, and that I therefore could not 
comply with the request of the German government 
to leave Bucharest, and that if I was obliged to leave, 
I would do so under protest, and I also asked that all 
Americans living in Bucharest be permitted to leave with 
me. I asked that if I was obliged to go, the trip be post- 
poned. I received in reply a letter dated January 11, as 
follows:* 

In answer to your letter of January 11, the following explana- 
tion is given : 

The information that the revocation of the American Minister 
had been ordered was transmitted to this place from the office of 
the Minister of Foreign Affairs at Berlin, through the chief 
military command. 

Prolongation of the time for departure is impossible on account 
of railroad technicalities. The special train will probably leave 
on January 13, in the afternoon. The exact departure will be 
announced. 

The special train is only for the ministers and their diplomatic 
personnel; no place is reserved for other persons. The departure 
of American families will be possible probably in February. A 
special announcement will be made at the proper time regard- 
ing the transportation of civilians. 



* {Original). 

Auf das Schreiben vom 11 Januar wird ergebenst folgendes erwidert. 

Die Mitteilung, dass die Abberufung des Herrn Amerikanischen Gesandten 
von Bukarest ausgesprochen ist, ist vom Auswaertigen Amt Berlin durch die 
Oberste Heeresleitung hierher uerbermittelt worden. 

Eine verlaengerung der Zeit zur Abreise ist aus eisenbahntechnischen 
Gruenden nicht moeglich. Der Sonderzug wird voraussichtlich am 13 Januar 
nachmittags abfahren. Die genaue Abfahrszeit wird noch mitgeteilt. 

Der Sonderzug ist nur fuer die Herrn Gesandten und das diplomatische 



124 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Chauffeur Rudolph Nagler has been placed on the list of 
persons who will leave. 

In regard to the matter of the German subjects, German depos- 
its and German valuables, it is respectfully asked that everything 
be arranged through Rittmeister Prince Schaumburg-Lippe, of 
the political department of the Imperial Government.* 

By order of the Chief in Command, 
The Chief Quartermaster, 
(Signed) Heutsch, 

Colonel. 

I could do nothing else but leave under protest, 
especially when Prince Schaumburg-Lippe told me that 
if I did not leave, I would not be recognized as minister 
after the departure of the train. 



Personal bestimmt; fuer andere Personen ist kein Platz vorhanden. Die Abreise 
amerikanischer Familien wird voraussichtlich im Februar moeglich sein. Ueber 
den Eisenbahnverkehr der Zivilbevoelkerung erscheint zur gegebenen Zeit eine 
besondere Bekanntmachung. 

Der Chauffeur Rudolf Nagler wurde auf die Liste der abreisenden Personen 
gesetzt. 

Wegen der Interessen der deutschen Staatsangehoerigen, deutscher Depositen 
und deutscher Geldwerte wird ergebenst gebeten, das Noetige unmittelbar mit 
der politischen Abteilung des Kaiserl. Gouvernements, Rittmeister Prinz 
Schaumburg-Lippe, erledigen zu wollen. 

Von Seiien des Oberkommandos, 
Im Auf ir age, 
Der Oberquartiermeisier, 
Heutsch, 
Oberst. 



CHAPTER XIV 

BERLIN ADMITS BLUNDER — BACK TO AMERICA — 
RETURN VIA ORIENT AND RUSSIA 

AFTER three days' traveling, we arrived in Berlin 
at midnight. There was only one cab at the depot 
and the driver was very drunk. It was difficult to 
get him to take us to the hotel. Mr. Reinbaben, former 
secretary of the German Legation at Bucharest, awaited 
me at the depot and handed me a letter from the sub- 
Secretary, Herr von Bussche, in which I was requested 
to call at his office at nine o'clock the next morning. 
I tried to call our Ambassador, Mr. James W. Gerard, 
on the telephone, but he had retired. 

The next morning I went to the office of Herr von 
Bussche, and he said to me: "My dear colleague, von 
Mackensen's government made a big mistake; you are 
not recalled." 

I answered: "I am sorry, but you must settle this 
matter with my government. This is nothing less than 
kidnapping, and a casus belli.'' 

He replied: "We do not want you to take it that 
way. As you have done so much for the Germans, we 
do not want you to be in any way dissatisfied or handi- 
capped. We want to give you full satisfaction." 

He told me that the von Mackensen government had 
preferred sixty-one charges against me, which had been 
telegraphed to Washington, but he had not believed 
them, and he stated that he would see Ambassador 
Gerard the same morning, and have all the charges 
revoked, so there would be nothing against me when I 

125 



126 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

arrived in America. As a proof of his friendly feeling, 
he invited me to attend the christening of his child, born 
that day. I accepted the invitation, and met many 
prominent Germans at the ceremony. 

I remained in Berlin until the 27th of January, and 
received many visitors. Most of them wished to inquire 
about their relatives and friends in Roumania, and 
particularly those who were prisoners of war there. 
That they appreciated my actions was indicated by the 
number of gifts of flowers sent to me daily. 

During my stay in Berlin, I was interviewed by 
many American, German, and other reporters. Among 
the former was Mr. William Bayard Hale, representing 
the Hearst newspapers in Germany, who was living at 
the same hotel and had his wife and children with him. 
I had brought with me some sugar and canned milk, 
which I offered to him on my departure. I thought it 
only a trifle, but he, having been living in Germany 
three years, prized it very highly, and assured me that 
it would save his children. In traveling during the war, 
it was necessary to carry food supplies, because in most 
places nothing could be bought, no matter how much 
money might be offered. In this respect, diplomats 
fared no better than other persons. 

At the embassy in Berlin, many letters awaited me, 
which could not be forwarded to Bucharest, and these 
I answered while awaiting the leave of absence I had 
telegraphed for to Washington. On my departure, ten 
persons accompanied me, namely, my private secretary, 
Mr. Andrews, and my clerk. Miss Palmer, both of whom 
were Americans, one Frenchman, one Bohemian, three 
Roumanians and three Englishmen, all of whom were 
working in the Legation. The Berlin police ordered the 




Turkish Mosque in Skopelje (Uskub), Macedonia 




Palace of the Metropolitan in Cernovitz, Bukowina 



BERLIN ADMITS BLUNDER 127 

Roumanians to remain at home while they were in 
the city, as the Germans disUked seeing them walking 
the streets. I protested against this order, and it was 
rescinded, but they were required to report at the police 
station four times a day, so they had little opportunity 
to stray far from their abodes. 

A few weeks previous, I had suggested the exchange 
of Roumanian and German prisoners, which was agree- 
able to both governments, but owing to changed con- 
ditions the plan could not be carried out. While in 
Berlin, I brought the matter up again with Mr. Gerard 
and Herr von Bussche, and later on, Mr. Gerard informed 
me the German government had suggested a plan whereby 
the exchange could be effected. 

Up to the time I left Germany it appeared that the 
Germans did not anticipate any trouble with America 
in the near future, as von Bussche gave me all the details 
of the proposed exchange of prisoners with Roumania, 
and asked me particularly to see that the officers were 
set at liberty on their word of honor. Ambassador 
Gerard took charge of all my correspondence, evidently 
not dreaming that he also would be obliged to leave 
Germany in about a week after my departure, which 
was on January 27. Diplomatic relations were broken 
off February 4. 

My passage was engaged on a boat sailing from 
Copenhagen February 8, but the Scandinavian steam- 
ship companies did not wish to risk sending boats through 
the war zone, and England objected to their going any 
other way. At the request of our State Department, 
the English permitted me to sail on any boat which 
would take me to the United States, but with the restric- 
tion that I could be accompanied only by my personnel 



128 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

and three American diplomats, whose names were given 
in advance. 

On March 1, I left Copenhagen, for Malmo, but 
arriving there I found there would be no regular train 
for Christiania until the next day, which delay would 
probably cause me to miss connection with the boat. 
The royal train was in the depot, and I had a telegram 
sent asking if it might be put at my disposal. Within an 
hour the permission was received, and the next day I 
arrived in Christiania on the royal train, to the great 
astonishment of all beholders, including our minister to 
Norway. Then I boarded a small freight boat, which 
landed me in Halifax in fifteen days. 

I proceeded immediately to Washington, and called 
at once on President Wilson. I stated my belief that 
if our country declared war with Germany, we should 
at the same time proclaim war with Austro-Hungary. 
The President, however, seemed to put faith in the assur- 
ances he had received of the friendly feeling of the Austro- 
Hungarians, though I expressed a contrary belief, and I 
advised him to obtain copies of Austro-Hungarian news- 
papers from the date he had demanded satisfaction for 
damages to Americans on a ship destroyed by an Austrian 
submarine. I do not know if he ever received these 
papers. I also told him that the Allies expected that 
Austro-Hungary would be included in the declaration 
of war. He thought our friends, the Slavs of that coun- 
try, would suffer by the declaration, though I claimed 
they could be exempt. 

Being urged by my friends, during the next two 
months I made some forty speeches in different places, 
describing the existing situation in European countries, 
and declaring my belief that our country should enter 



BERLIN ADMITS BLUNDER 129 

the war on the side of the Allies, not only for the sake 
of humanity, but for our own protection as well, and 
also for the liberation of the German people themselves 
from militarism. 

After three months' stay in the United States I 
received instructions from the State Department to 
proceed to Jassy, which was then the capital of Roumania. 
Although this city could be reached in about nine hours' 
direct travel from Bucharest, I could not have gone 
that way after the German occupation, but would have 
had to come to America and make the trip around the 
world in order to get there. 

Accompanied by my two private secretaries and 
forty members of the American Red Cross, including 
eight members of the commission and eleven nurses, 
we sailed from Vancouver to Yokohama, and went 
from there to Tokio. There we were met by our charge 
d'affaires, Mr. Post Wheeler, and later I had a long 
talk with the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs. 
We remained in Tokio six days and were very much 
entertained. Thence we went by special train to 
Zsuruga, and by Russian boat to Vladivostock. I never 
saw anything dirtier than that boat. My cabin had been 
preempted by a huge colony of cockroaches, and con- 
sequently I slept on the deck, most of our company 
doing the same. 

Around the harbor of Vladivostock there were great 
piles of merchandise and ammunition, and in the city 
streets we saw about three hundred large wooden boxes, 
which we ascertained contained automobiles of Ameri- 
can make and were told had been there a long time. 
The Russian authorities took charge of us on the trip 
from there to Harbin. It was August, and the weather 



130 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

was about the same as in New York or Chicago. All 
across Siberia were fields of wheat, oats, rye and barley, 
seemingly without end. Twice we had a swim in Russian 
rivers, and whenever we had a stop en route for any 
length of time, we had a game of baseball. I think we 
were the first to play that game in Siberia. 

Our first long stop was at Harbin, in Manchuria. 
This city is only about fourteen years old, but numbers 
100,000 inhabitants. It is dirty beyond description, 
but business conditions are excellent, as Siberia affords 
a market for a vast quantity of goods of every descrip- 
tion. Human life has little value, and one risks robbery 
or murder by remaining outdoors at night. American 
interests are very ably looked after by Consul Moser. 

At the depot we witnessed a Chinese method of 
loading passengers. Two big Chinamen stood on the 
platform and literally "chucked" women and children 
through the windows to another pair inside, and the 
car was filled in a jiffy. As no one was injured, it v/as 
equal to a movie comedy. After the loading was finished, 
all the Chinese began to talk at once, and the clatter was 
like the gabbling of a flock of excited geese. 

At Harbin we boarded the same train that carried 
the Russian Czar and his family to Jekaterinburg, where 
they were later murdered by the Bolsheviki. At Omsk 
we were delayed four hours, it being the day the first 
Russian republic was proclaimed, and the new citizens 
wished to confiscate our train. But when it was explained 
to them it would be very unwise to interfere with ** Uncle 
Sam" we were allowed to proceed. 

At Moscow, there were lines of people in many of 
the streets, waiting for provisions and such supplies as 
were obtainable, just as we had seen them in every 




Prince Regent Alexander of Serbia in Conference with 
Officers on the Battlefield 




Railway Station in Serbia 



BERLIN admits: BLUNDER" .131 

other war-ridden country. , Here' the stores were 'almost 
bare of stocks, and not even any desirable furs were to 
be had. The city seemed to wear a sombre look, although 
there were many beautiful buildings, chief among them 
the world-famed Kremlin. Within this were marvels 
of furnishings, rare paintings and jewels of enormous 
value. One could not help pondering on what might 
have been the condition of this unhappy country if 
the cost of all these had been used for the education of 
the Russian people. 

With three members of the Red Cross I went on to 
Petrograd, where we were met by Ambassador David R. 
Francis, who had arranged a meeting with Prime Minister 
Kerensky on the following Monday. The next day I 
met Mr. Masaryk, now President of Czecho-Slovakia, 
who was there in the interest of his country. On Sunday 
evening, while we were dining, a messenger from Kerensky 
arrived with the information for Mr. Masaryk that 
General Korniloff 's offensive had started. Our Ambassa- 
dor was not made aware of this until the next day at 
eleven o'clock, when I told him. 

That Sunday evening, Mr. Masaryk was my guest 
at the opera. At about 11:30 a French officer came to 
our box and said: "Mr. Minister, the shooting will 
commence at twelve o'clock. Will you please go home 
now, as we would not like to have you hurt." So I 
promptly escorted Mr. Masaryk to my automobile and 
took him to his hotel, and proceeded without delay to 
the hotel where I was staying. 

The Prime Minister was so much occupied with 
meetings and discussion of matters of grave importance 
that it was impossible to meet him that day, and fearing 
that the Korniloff action might lead to an indefinite 
delay in Petrograd, I immediately started for Jassy. 



CHAPTER XV 

AT JASSY, TEMPORARY CAPITAL OF ROUMANIA — 
SANITATION PROBLEMS — RUSSIAN 
OPPORTUNITY LOST 

WE arrived in Jassy September 16, 1917, and were 
met at the depot by a delegation headed by 
Colonel Bratiano. All around the depot was an enor- 
mous crowd of people. A truly royal reception was 
accorded us, and we were deeply affected by our 
welcome, but conditions in the city were saddening. 
With a normal population of 90,000, there were now 
over 300,000 refugees seeking aid and accommodation. 
The military government had taken charge and was 
doing everything possible to relieve the distress. 

Roumania was now feeling the full extent of war's 
misery, and it was fully exemplified in Jassy. Typhus 
was raging, and the supply of medicaments for the sick, 
and for the wounded soldiers, was very meagre. No 
meat or vegetables were to be had, and bread, of which 
there was very little, was made from potatoes with any 
kind of grain obtainable. There was no sugar, and no 
fuel of any kind. Soldiers and civilians were dying by 
thousands. 

The foreign ministers did everything in their power, 
but they could only partly relieve the great distress. 
Sufficient food, fuel and supplies were absolutely unob- 
tainable at any price. The hospitals were overflowing. 
There were but few doctors, and the scarcity of instru- 
ments, linen, etc., was deplorable. 

When I visited the hospitals, the sights there, partic- 
ularly in the one in charge of Princess Elisabeth, actually 

132 



AT JASSY 133 

made me ill. She seemed to have selected the worst 
cases for her care and supervision. The queen did 
everything possible to aid the ministers to obtain supplies. 
Her palace was converted into a workshop, and there 
the finest ladies of the land were busy day and night, 
knitting socks and making underwear and other things 
of which the army was greatly in need, which could 
not be obtained otherwise. 

Killing lice, the carriers of infectious diseases, was 
a most difficult and disagreeable task, but one of the 
greatest importance. Sanitary trains were established 
under direction of Mrs. Popp, who was nobly aided by 
the royal family, government officials and the ministers 
of the Allies. Of her work, Mrs. Popp says: 

"As is known, filth, disease and poverty are usually 
found together and in the same proportion. Where 
cleansing the people and destroying the lice is required 
as a protection against the spread of disease, relief from 
hunger and poverty is also necessary. 

**A bath and disinfecting train has been conducted 
by me for the Roumanian Sanitary Department. It 
consists of fourteen cars. The disinfector is a converted 
oil car, and will contain the entire clothing of two hun- 
dred people at one time, disinfecting articles under a 
pressure of two atmospheres of steam. The bath coach 
is provided with sixty douches. At each end of this 
coach is a set of two cars, one for undressing and the 
other for the dressing of the bathers. One car is also 
for shaving and hair cutting. All of these coaches are 
connected by a direct passageway. In addition there 
are the following: one first class coach for the doctor, 
administrator, and three nurses; one for the twenty- 
two sanitarians and three engineers; one kitchen, one 



134 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

magazine, two tank cars for water, and a locomotive. 

"This train goes from station to station, stopping 
from one to a few days at each place. Here we get in 
communication with the military and with civilians, 
and with their assistance and that of the police, we 
encourage the people to come and bathe. With the 
aid of motor cars we are able to cover a continuous 
area of six kilometers on each side of the railroad. 

"The train has been on the road for the last two 
months and is doing very successful work. We have 
had the hearty support of the railroad authorities, and 
of both the civilian and military authorities. The 
people have responded to the advantages of the train 
much more readily than we had anticipated. It is only 
in this way, or by work in this direction, that the much 
dreaded diseases of typhus exanthematicus and inter- 
mittent fever can be checked. The poor people are 
found to be covered with lice and fleas, and have almost 
no opportunity of keeping themselves clean. 

"We have found that some of the civilians with 
whom we have come in contact are greatly in need of 
relief. This train would make a very good means of 
distributing clothing, soap, food and medical aid to the 
people requiring them. In addition we already have 
the facilities for doing this work, including the staff 
and magazine on the train, and we come into contact 
with hundreds of poverty suffering people every week, 
covering quite a large area of the country." 

Mrs. Popp proposed that the relief work on the 
train be carried out by the combined relief units of the 
allied countries, France, America, England and Russia. 

Great joy was felt upon the arrival in Jassy, with 
me, of the American Red Cross unit, consisting of forty 




Vasil Radoslavoff, Prime Minister of Bulgaria 



AT JASSY 135 

persons, bringing with them medicaments and supplies. 
The shipload of similar material, however, which was 
promised to arrive about two weeks later, failed to 
appear. After many weeks of disappointment. Colonel 
Henry W. Anderson, the chairman, sent Captain C. T. 
Williams to Archangel to start the shipment forward 
at once, and at the same time to buy everything else 
that was obtainable in Russia. He purchased carloads 
of fish and other supplies, which were a great help to 
the starving Roumanians. The Red Cross started two 
hospitals, and one canteen where the poor received food 
and clothing. 

Members of the Red Cross unit comprised American 
physicians and engineers, and experts in economics, 
sociology, hygiene and sanitation, and their advice and 
assistance were invaluable to the Roumanians. They 
remained in Roumania until March 9, 1918, when the 
Germans ordered them to leave, together with all the 
missions of the Allies. 

Among the members of the American Red Cross 
sent to Roumania was Captain Vladimir Ledochowski, 
from Baltimore, a Russian nobleman who had come to 
America and married the daughter of the Governor of 
Maryland. 

It was easy for him while he was traveling through 
Russia with his unit and with me, but when he stopped 
in Russia with one or two members of the American 
Red Cross, he had difficulty with the police authorities, 
and when he wanted to return to the United States 
with the commission of the American Red Cross, he 
found he could not do so without a passport proving 
his American citizenship. 

He asked me for an American passport. I could not 



136 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

give it to him, because he had only his first citizen papers, 
but seeing that my action meant for him either prison 
in Russia or heaven in America, where he could again 
join his wife and child, I stretched a point, and on a 
blank of an America passport I asked that he be allowed 
to proceed on his journey to America as a member of 
the Red Cross. However, when he came to Petrograd, 
the American consul there refused to vise his passport 
for Russia, and the son-in-law of Maryland's governor 
had to stay in Petrograd for several days until Major 
R. G. Perkins, a member of the American Commission, 
told him to risk it and go on with them without the vise, 
and they would protect him. In China the passport 
I gave him without consular vise was satisfactory. 

Poor Count ! His property in Russia was confiscated 
by the Bolsheviki, and his title was lost when he became 
an American citizen, but he is happier in America as a 
simple citizen than he would be in Russia with a high 
title, even if a more civilized government were in control 
there. 

During the Marghiloman pro-German administration, 
certain newspapers criticized the American Red Cross. 
One paper, "Opinia," stated that the American Red 
Cross had sold clothing of very inferior quality to the 
Roumanian government, for a huge price, and a second 
charge was, "The Americans have not delivered us goods 
until after we have paid them the money, some three 
millions. As to the goods delivered, they are fit only 
for Hottentots. The fault is ours and not the Americans'. 
We thought they were soldiers and find they are what 
they have always been — merchants." 

I at once sent a letter branding the statements as 
false, and giving the exact facts, which were that the 



AT JASSY 137 

American Red Cross had advanced the necessary money 
to the Roumanian commission in Russia to make desired 
purchases, and that later this amount was refunded by 
the Roumanian government. The contemptible efforts 
of the pro-Germans were rendered harmless, and to this 
day all Roumania is grateful to the American Red Cross 
for its splendid and heroic work, and to the Y. M. C. A. 
workers also, who performed excellent service in estab- 
lishing canteens behind the front for supplying the 
soldiers with tea and other comforts. 

To my surprise, the king advised me not to unpack 
my trunks, stating that we might have to move to 
Russia at any moment. He said that half their offices 
were already in Kherson, and that for three months 
Roumanians had been sending their valuables there. 
It seemed to be the general opinion that the move 
would have to be made, and also that the Russians 
would leave the trenches on the first of October. As 
the Russian commander-in-chief of the army in Roumania 
could give me no definite information, I went to the 
front for it, accompanied by Colonel Yates, with two 
members of the American Red Cross and several others. 
My main object was to talk to the soldiers and try to 
persuade them to remain at their posts, in order to 
preserve the Russo-Roumanian front and prevent the 
withdrawal of Austro-German soldiers for service on 
the Western front. 

At Galatz, where the 6th Russian army was located, 
we were cordially received by the civil and military 
authorities, and my request for permission to address 
the soldiers was granted after the Soviet Military Com- 
mittee had scanned the speech. My first audience 
numbered 16,000 men, and they received my speech 



138 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

SO enthusiastically that I was asked to repeat it else- 
where. Next day I addressed the Russian soldiers in 
the trenches, and the reserves behind the front, who 
showed their appreciation by taking me on their shoulders 
and carrying me around the field. During the perform- 
ance, a bomb exploded within one hundred and twenty- 
five feet of us! Thereafter we spent considerable time on 
the road, talking to the Russian troops. From time to 
time I sent reports to the Minister of the Interior, who 
wrote to me as follows: 

My dear Mr. Vopicka: 

It is with the greatest satisfaction that I read your letter 
today. Your success on the Russian front in Bukowina had al- 
ready been made known to me by my prefect. I appreciate 
it all the more as the result will be a benefit to our country, as 
I know that, aside from your official duty, you love Roumania. 

(Signed) Constantinescu. 

The French Minister saw that my speaking tour 
had a good influence upon the Russian soldiers, and he 
also made one or two speeches to the Russian troops. 
Colonel Yates and I continued our speeches until the 
armistice was signed, thereby aiding in delaying by over 
two months the intended defection of the Russian troops. 

While I was engaged in talking to the Russian sol- 
diers at the front in Roumania, the situation in Russia 
changed very much. The provisional government was 
overthrown by the Bolsheviki, whose leaders were Len- 
ine and Trotsky. Minister Kerensky had to flee. The 
commander-in-chief of the Russian army at that time, 
General Doukonine, was murdered, and Krilenko, the 
underofficer, was made commander-in-chief by Lenine 
and Trotsky. He at once tried to make a proposal to 
the Germans for immediate peace, and wanted an imme- 





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o 



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PQ 

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AT JASSY 139 

diate armistice with the enemy. He also advised the 
soldiers to rebel against the officers and leave the front. 

Oiie can imagine how hard it was after this to induce 
the Russian army in Roumania to stay in the trenches 
against the order of the chief commander of the Russian 
army. General Tcherbatcheff, who was in command of 
the Russian army in Roumania, believed that the orders 
of Krilenko were not for the benefit of the Allies but of 
the Germans, and he therefore refused to recognize the 
orders of the new Russian regime, and commenced 
openly to fight the Bolshevik idea. 

He put under control all the Bolshevik committees 
in Roumania, and those Russian soldiers who tried to 
free these committees were disarmed by the Roumanians. 
This action of General Tcherbatcheff made the Bolshe- 
viki his enemies, and in Jassy they actually tried to kill 
him. 

Russian troops, along different parts of the front, 
made a truce with the Germans, which of course helped 
to demoralize this army still more. As soon as the 
Russian Bolsheviki made an armistice with the Germans, 
the Roumanians were very restless and frightened. 
They demanded from us (the Allied ministers) consent 
also to make an armistice. I personally, together with 
the American military attache, Colonel Yates, was 
against an armistice because I was afraid that it would 
bring peace between the Roumanians and the Germans. 

The Allied ministers asked the Roumanian govern- 
ment to wait two days, until they received instructions 
from their governments as to whether the permission 
should be granted to the Roumanians. The Prime 
Minister promised to wait, but the army was afraid that 
if they waited, the Germans might make an attack at 



140 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

any time and destroy them, and the same evening 
General Prezan, chief of the Roumanian staff, signed 
the armistice, of which I received secret information 
from the clerk who was employed in the office of the 
Russian commander. 

The Roumanian government urged General Tcher- 
batcheff to sign with them at the same time for the 
Russian army on the Roumanian front. This was done 
in Focsani and this action was approved by the Allied 
ministers only to protect the front. 

In this armistice, the Austro-Hungarians and the 
Germans bound themselves not to remove any troops 
from the Roumanian front. This was done in order 
to prevent soldiers being sent to France. 

In the month of November, the king, supported by 
the general staff and the chief commandants of the 
armies, was in favor of marching with his army to 
Russia. He purposed to establish order there, to fight 
the Germans, and with the Cossacks to protect the 
Siberian railroad. But because of the change in the 
Russian situation and because the Allies could not 
guarantee the safe conduct of the royal family through 
Russia, the march into this country was first postponed 
and then abandoned. From the beginning of December, 
conditions in Russia changed rapidly, and the Allied 
ministers had their hands full and shouldered responsi- 
bility beyond comprehension. 

After the armistice was signed, Russian soldiers, 
from different parts of the Roumanian front, left the 
front and on their way burned houses, feloniously 
assaulted women, and devastated the country, and if 
it had not been for the firm stand of General Tcherbat- 
cheff, to whom the Roumanians will be forever indebted, 



AT JASSY 141 

Roumania might have fallen into the hands of the 
Bolsheviki and the royal family murdered. 

The outlook was very bad for the Roumanians. 
The Prime Minister at that time was ill, and the four 
ministers, Sir George Barclay, Count de St. Aulaire, 
Baron Fasciotti and myself, who were responsible for 
all the interests of the Allies, were obliged to go to his 
house for conferences nearly every day. 

After the actions of the Russian soldiers, the people 
in Roumania became very much alarmed and made an 
appeal to their government that something radical be 
done at once. We began to formulate plans to stop 
their barbaric actions, and at the same time satisfy 
both the Roumanian government and the people. In 
our conference each of us suggested a certain remedy. 
I stated that leaving the front in the manner in which 
it was done, if it had happened in America, would be 
resisted either by the police, the state militia or the 
regular army, just as we disperse mobs. I gave it as 
my opinion that if a small division of 20,000 or 25,000 
men could be given the best arms and tanks, they might 
solve the difficulty which was now prevailing in Roumania. 

My colleagues and Mr. Bratiano were in favor of 
police protection. We recommended it to the Crown 
meeting and it was approved by General Tcherbatcheff 
and by the French military mission. The Crown meet- 
ing approved, and three days after, it was adopted and 
put in force. Prime Minister Bratiano, full of smiles, 
reported the success of the police action to me. This 
police division consisted of Roumanian soldiers with a 
Russian officer in command. Of course, this action 
brought on the proclamation of war by the Bolshevik 
government against Roumania, and in consequence 



142 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

many Roumanian citizens and officers were detained in 
Russia, especially those in Odessa, and it also occasioned 
the arrest of the Roumanian Minister in Petrograd. 

After the armistice was proclaimed, many officers in 
the Russian army in Roumania wanted to enlist in the 
American army, and the office of our military attache 
received several thousand applications not only from 
officers, but also from Russian soldiers. 

Our government at that time was interested in estab- 
lishing order in Ukrainia, and I was of the opinion that 
there was a chance of obtaining enough soldiers, prob- 
ably 200,000 of them, to effect it. I therefore tele- 
graphed to my government, asking authority to draw 
$50,000,000 as a fund for maintaining these soldiers, if 
the government was willing to engage them. 

These officers and men were satisfied with five to 
seven rubles a day. They did not want to enlist in the 
French or English army because of prejudices, but they 
were very anxious to join the American army. My 
colleagues, the Ministers of the Entente, were satisfied 
with the plan and recommended the adoption of it to 
their respective governments. 

These Russian officers and soldiers wanted to have an 
answer as soon as possible, and I expected that if I 
received an answer within two weeks, the plan could be 
accomplished, as it was hard to keep the Russians in the 
front longer than that. To my sorrow, the answer did 
not arrive until four weeks later, and then it was too late 
for any action. 

Our government approved of the plan, and notified 
me that the English military attache or the minister 
would furnish the money necessary, and that our mili- 
tary attache would be in charge of this new army. 




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2 

pin 




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o 



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AT JASSY 143 

If this American army of 200,000 men could have 
operated, Ukrainia might have been saved from Bolshe- 
vism, and the Bolshevik government itself might have 
been overthrown. 



10 



CHAPTER XVI 

RUSSIAN REVOLUTION DISRUPTS PLANS AND DEPRIVES 
ROUMANIA OF ASSISTANCE 

WHEN I came to Jassy, I learned that the Slavs 
who had been interned and released in Bucharest, 
had been interned again by mistake in Moldavia. I at 
once secured their release, but that was not the end of 
it, as they were all destitute. Work was obtained for 
as many as possible, and some were sent to their homes, 
but the remainder I had to support until they could 
take care of themselves, and that was a long time for 
some of them. When the Roumanians were obliged to 
retreat to Moldavia in December, 1916, an appeal was 
sent to Russia for sufficient troops to save Moldavia. 
The Russians came in great numbers, but they were 
not given so hearty a welcome by the Roumanians there 
as they should have received. In 1917 there were 1,100,- 
000 Russians there, and they were occupying the entire 
Moldavian front. After the capture of Bucharest, the 
Germans expected to conquer the remainder of Roumania 
in eleven days, but the combined Russian and Rou- 
manian army was able to hold the Moldavian front. 

In March, 1917, the Russian revolution broke out, 
and this operated much to Roumania's disadvantage. 
While the German attacks were growing weaker, the 
remainder of the Roumanian army was being reorgan- 
ized by French instructors, and in time it became one 
of the best fighting organizations in Europe. But on 
the other hand, the Russian troops began to deteriorate. 
This was because the Petrograd Workers and Soldiers 
Council, acting for the provisional government, had 

144 



RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 145 

begun what they called the democratization of the army, 
which was actually intended to discredit the high com- 
mand and the officers of the army, and place the real 
command in the hands of the Soldiers Committee. 
The Council believed the success or downfall of the 
republic depended on the action of this high command, 
and therefore they feared it. 

The commanders on the fronts had been urging on 
General Alexeieflf, the commander-in-chief, that the army 
be divorced from politics, and that the anti-militarist 
and pacific propaganda be stopped, lest the army disin- 
tegrate. Opposing this, the Workers and Soldiers Coun- 
cil claimed that action against the democratization of 
the army was treachery to the revolutionary cause. 

Minister Kerensky should have promptly settled this 
dispute, but he declined to render any positive decision, 
being fearful of incurring the enmity of either faction. 
In fact, he signed a Declaration of Soldiers Rights, and 
abolished capital punishment in the army, which acts 
sadly crippled the high command. 

The Allies were urging an immediate offensive on 
the part of the Roumanians and Russians, and the 
Roumanian command decided to begin on the first of 
July, with half the combined army attacking on a small 
front, while the other half held a long front. The 
morale of the Roumanian troops was excellent, and that 
of the Russian but little lowered at this time. In a 
later attack near Adjud, the Germans were routed, but 
two days later Minister Kerensky telegraphed orders 
to stop all offensive. Following this there were minor 
engagements, with the Roumanian-Russian forces mainly 
on the defensive, but at Maracesti, the Roumanians, 
with smaller Russian assistance, defeated General von 



146 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Mackensen's army in a ten-day engagement, during 
which about eighty thousand men on each side were 
killed or wounded. 

It is claimed that there was a disagreement between 
General von Mackensen and his staff as to the manner 
of conducting an attack, and the Kaiser came to Rou- 
mania to decide the controversy. He supported von 
Mackensen's plans, but because of the defeat of the 
Germans, von Mackensen lost prestige and remained 
in Bucharest without further activity. This was the 
greatest victory of the war for the Roumanian-Russian 
forces, and it materially weakened the forces of the 
Central Powers. 

The demoralization of the Russian army made 
Roumania's position uncertain and insecure. The best 
that could be done was to try to keep the Russians in 
place, and thereby help protect the Roumanian front. 

The ministers of the allied countries, especially the 
English, French, Italian and American, were placed in 
a very difficult and delicate position, requiring continual 
alertness and the greatest tact and patience, in order 
best to serve the interests of their respective countries, 
and withal, to avoid the many pitfalls by which they 
were surrounded. It was also our duty, as far as diplo- 
matic usage permitted, to protect the interests of Rou- 
mania, to which country we were accredited, and as 
conditions were constantly changing, the situation was 
extremely complicated. 

It was my custom to make memoranda of all impor- 
tant occurrences and new conditions, sometimes supple- 
menting these with notations of cause and probable 
effect. These proved of inestimable value, enabling an 
accurate review of circumstances leading up to the 




French Hospital at Vrnjanka Banja, Serbia 




Arrival of vSchlepp No. 229 Loaded with Flour for the 
American Red Cross in Belgrade 



RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 147 

affairs of the moment, eliminating the possibility of omis- 
sion or misconception of detail through lapse or fault of 
m^emory, and thus better enabling us to meet emergencies 
or contingencies as they might arise. 

The gist of the more important of these memoranda, 
together with necessary explanations, is given in the 
following pages. In this manner, there is presented not 
alone a consecutive record of events, but also a clearer 
revelation of the difficulties and heartrending conditions 
that day by day confronted us. Perhaps the reader will 
share our daily hopes and fears, our disappointments 
and our hard earned triumphs, and realize, as we did, 
that we not only had to cope with the perils and problems 
of the hour, but also forecast and prepare for what the 
morrow might bring forth. 

{Dec. 2, 1917.) We have learned that one of Lenine's 
officers telephoned to General Tcherbatcheff an offer 
of the General Command of the Russian army, stating 
that a cipher telegram had been received by the repre- 
sentative of the Italian army in Russia to the effect 
that the Allies did not object to a separate Russian peace. 
The general declined the offer, but requested that we 
representatives of the Allies confirm the statement made 
to him by General Berthelot, of the French Mission, that 
this telegram appeared to be spurious and was abso- 
lutely contradictory to the declared policy of the Allied 
governments. 

We made this declaration to General Tcherbatcheff, 
who accepted it, and we have urged upon him the neces- 
sity, according to information received by us, of pre- 
cautions against an intended attack by the Bolsheviki, 
designed to disrupt the Roumanian government, destroy 



148 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

the telegraph, telephone and railroad systems, and 
violently remove the royal family and staff and the foreign 
representatives. 

Measures have been taken by the Roumanian staff 
to repulse this attack, but in order that it may have no 
appearance of being a conflict between the Russians and 
Roumanians, we have insisted that the Russians take 
part in the defense. General Tcherbatcheff has assured 
us this will be done. 

During the conversation, he gave us his personal and 
confidential advice that an interallied corps should imme- 
diately be sent to Russia, which would not only be of 
material assistance, but a moral force which would have 
considerable effect. Our experience and observation 
leads us to endorse this opinion. 

{Dec. 3.) The Prime Minister advised us he had sent 
the following telegram to the Roumanian ministers in 
allied countries: 

"The Maximalists have absolutely overmastered the 
two northern fronts and are occupying Stawka. On 
the Russian fronts, the disintegration of the army is 
complete. The Russian army on the Roumanian front 
made armistice, and replaced the generals by lieutenants. 
General Doukonine went to Krilenko. In these cir- 
cumstances, General Tcherbatcheff will be obliged to 
give his place to a Maximalist, or to interfere with the 
conclusion of a regular armistice, with the result that 
the same will last until a legal government, chosen by 
regular election, establishes the peace conditions. He 
thinks this would be the only means by which he could 
hold the front. But he would do it only with the con- 
sent of the Allies. In this matter he will act in accord 
with the *Rada' and as commander of the southwestern 



RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 149 

and Roumanian fronts. Any other attitude on the part 
of Rpumania will transform the Russian army in Moldavia 
into a million enemies led by the Maximalists, with 
Rakowski as representative, and make it impossible 
for the Roumanian army to resist. Resistance would 
mean destruction for us without benefit for our allies, 
in case of hostile retreat of the Russian army through 
Moldavia. In such case the Allies should not indulge 
in illusions regarding Ukrainia or South Russia, which 
could give aid only as long as a Russian front exists." 

Mr. Bratiano says General Tcherbatcheff desires 
immediate answer, failing which he may be replaced by 
a commander appointed by Krilenko. In order to gain 
time, we have given him a copy of the following statement: 

''The undersigned, not having the necessary authority 
to make promises in the name of their governments, have 
requested telegraphic instructions. Being convinced that 
the Russian Commander will do everything in his power 
to protect the cause of the Allies, which is the cause of 
liberty and democracy, they recognize and have signified 
to their governments the value of the considerations 
requested by General Tcherbatcheff, also the necessity 
of avoiding an intended attack by the Maximalists 
on the Russo-Roumanian and Southwestern fronts. 
They also recognize, together with the Prime Minister, 
the gravity of the danger threatening the Roumanian 
army in the existing situation." 

{Dec. 4.) We have sent telegrams to our govern- 
ments, in effect as follows: 

''The situation rapidly becoming worse. May at 
any time require immediate decision, and therefore we 
request instructions at once as to what is to be our 
attitude in these hypotheses: If, contrary to General 



150 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Tcherbatcheff's opinion, the armistice bespeakings do 
not prevent the disbanding of the Russian troops, or 
lead to the conclusion of a separate peace, must we 
admit that the Roumanian government should do like- 
wise, or should we encourage them to try to leave the 
country, which would result in a government appointed 
by the enemy, and hostile to the Entente? Or in case 
General Tcherbatcheff is replaced by a Bolshevik com- 
mander, must we avoid intercourse with him? It is 
apparent that this would threaten even greater danger 
for the royal family and government. It would then 
be necessary for them to leave, which is only possible 
with the aid of the Russian authorities." 

The Russian staff received a communication from 
the Ukrainian government that peace at any price is 
desired. On the other hand, press advices are that 
General Kaledine will remain passive, which statement 
seems to be supported by the quietness of the Cossacks 
on the Roumanian front. According to our best advices, 
the state of anarchy in southern Russia and the absence 
of organization make it impossible for the Roumanian 
army to move out of Bessarabia. Of course, if these 
conditions improve, we will act with all our strength. 
Colonel Yates and I urge that the Roumanian army 
march immediately into Russia, but my colleagues and 
their military attaches claim it is impossible, for the 
foregoing reasons, and also because the roads in Bessa- 
rabia are impassable in winter. 

{Dec. 5.) A Russian newspaper prints the statement 
by the High Command that General Tcherbatcheff, with 
the consent of the Roumanians, has proposed an armis- 
tice, and that before doing so, he notified the representa- 
tives of the Allies. 




Family Meeting at Sofia 







A Turkish House in AiAci::DoNiA 



RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 151 

In accordance with telegraphic advices from our 
governments, we have informed the Prime Minister 
that the Entente is opposed to an armistice and desires 
that the Roumanian army be kept up. Mr. Bratiano 
states that through the treason of the Russian army, 
the Roumanian army is put in an unforeseen plight. 
He says a meeting, presided over by the king, has 
instructed the Roumanian parliament to act in accord- 
ance with the armistice. He says it is impossible for 
the Roumanian army to move to Russia at present, 
owing to lack of credit to provide food and other supplies. 
The French Minister, in our names, has advised the king 
of the allowance of unlimited credit for feeding the 
Roumanian army, and to make these funds immediately 
available, it is necessary to advise the banks in Odessa 
and Kiev. 

{Dec. 7.) We have telegraphed our governments: 

**The Prime Minister advises us today of telegrams 
from his representative in Paris. He states the insistence 
of the Allied Powers upon the removal of the Roumanian 
army to Russia, is in disregard of existing conditions, 
and is asking the impossible. He repeats that the 
Roumanian army is between a million hostile Russians 
and the Austro-German enemy, and there is no aid for 
them in southern Russia. He has telegraphed this to 
the Roumanian Minister in Paris." 

Mr. Bratiano states if the Allies persist in their 
demands he will retire, and adds that public opinion is 
turning against his government and the Allies. We 
have informed him that last night General Tcherbatcheff 
warned us of an impending attack by the Bolsheviki 
on the Russian Legation and staff in Jassy, as well as 
on the Roumanian heads of state, urging that precau- 



152 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

tionary steps, and even more energetic measures, be 
taken. 

{Dec. 10.) Our colleague from Russia has received 
notice from Trotsky demanding his resignation and that 
of all Russian representatives who do not support the 
foreign policies of the Maximalists. He and Bratiano 
have asked our advice, giving due consideration to the 
fact that Russian troops in Moldavia are exposed to 
Maximalist attack, and are dependent on Russia for 
food. He and his staff have decided to repudiate the 
Bolsheviki. We have signed a declaration that we 
have no objection to any solution which does not involve 
recognition of the Maximalists. 

The Prime Minister has telegraphed the Roumanian 
ministers in the allied countries today, instructing them 
to inform the respective governments that if circum- 
stances force an immediate decision on the part of Rou- 
mania, it will be impossible to wait for the advice or 
approval of the Allies. We realize that this is true, and 
think it advisable to give Roumania proof of our con- 
fidence. 

We perceive the danger of the Allies, who do not 
seem to realize that owing to their inability to control 
events in Russia, the situation in Roumania is hopeless. 
It should be realized that Roumania is actually between 
two enemies, and that yielding to the one would at least 
restore peace and order, and permit return to their 
homes; while acknowledgment of the other, and recog- 
nition of its theories, would result in treason, anarchy 
and famine. We determine to do everything in our 
power to sustain Roumania in her difficult position, 
and have again asked our governments for general instruc- 
tions, and for specific instructions previously requested. 



RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 153 

Mr. Bratiano calls our attention to the fact that, while 
his government has discussed an armistice, there has 
been no talk about peace. 

Our Russian colleague, having ignored the notice 
from Trotsky, is discharged, and with him will go all- 
members of the legation. They intend to leave minor 
routine affairs in the hands of a clerk. If Trotsky sends 
a representative to Jassy, many difficulties will be 
encountered in our intercourse with him. 

We realize that the probable departure of the Rou- 
manian royal family and officials can only be effected 
through arrangement by the Allies' representatives with 
the Russian authorities. In case of general disbanding 
of the troops and inability to organize a new campaign 
of resistance, the only means of checking the probable 
intention of the enemy to arrange a separate peace with 
Roumania, would be the absence of the king and the 
government. 

Failing in this, the king and officials would inevitably 
fall in the hands of the enemy, or be obliged to enter 
into negotiations. This must be avoided at any cost. 

We have again advised our governments of the 
necessity of eventually establishing relations with the 
Maximalist agents, though on conditions which will not 
involve the recognition of their government, and have 
requested that instructions to that effect be given the 
representatives of our governments in Russia. 

{Dec. 14.) The Ukrainian government has requested 
financial aid from the Entente, in order to free them- 
selves from the Maximalists. We think this should 
be given, as their friendship, and the friendly feeling 
which would be stimulated elsewhere, would be of great 
value. This should be in the nature of a credit which 



154 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

would establish Ukrainian issues on a basis higher than 
the current value of the ruble, and would tend to de- 
preciate the Maximalist issues, and to bind Ukrainia to 
us, as well as other parts of Russia that might follow 
her example. 

We urgently request information as soon as possible 
as to how we can avail ourselves of credits allowed for 
feeding the Roumanian army. 

Owing to cancellation of rank and pay of officers, 
and arrest of committees by the Maximalists, a group 
of officers, through Ukrainian influence, has organized 
in opposition. They have arrested the Maximalist com- 
mittee in Jassy, and the Russian staff at the Ukrainian 
front, and are developing their military plans. Con- 
ditions in Ukrainia and the Cossack territory seem more 
favorable. 

It is very necessary that this movement be vigorous- 
ly developed, as the only means to combat Maximalist 
and pacifist action. The funds at the disposal of the 
English and French Legations are enough for immediate 
necessities, but insufficient for the powerful organization 
which will be necessary. 

A military budget of the two fronts, unaer control 
of the Allies, should be instituted. One of the first 
results would be to stop the forwarding of funds to 
Petrograd. 

Realizing the extreme gravity of the present situa- 
tion, the ministers of the Allies request, according to the 
policy adopted by the food commission of the Roumanian 
army, that the necessary credit be allowed to provide 
the two Russian fronts, through the banks of Jassy, 
Kiev and Odessa. 

{Dec. 19.) Being informed that Mr. Take Jonescu 




Turkish Palace at Bardovac, Used for War Prisoners 




Serbian Fortress at Belgrade 



RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 155 

intended to leave the country, which would result in a 
ministerial crisis, we went to him in a body, protesting 
that his departure, and the consequent crisis, would be 
inimical to the interests of the Entente, and should be 
avoided at any cost. He implied that impending events 
might make it imperative for Roumania to make a 
separate peace, and he wished to avoid any responsi- 
bility. We said we regarded his presence, and that of 
the supporters of the war policy, as a guarantee, and 
everything possible would be done to prevent this 
occurrence. 

Von Mackensen has telegraphed the Roumanian staff, 
asking if they consider the original armistice replaced 
by the Russian armistice for the front on the Baltic, 
and General Prezan answered that Roumania recognized 
only the armistice for the Russo-Roumanian front. 

The Maximalist movement, unopposed by either Rou- 
manians or Russians, develops more and more, and 
is a serious menace to all Roumania as well as to the 
Russian commanders. It caused the abandonment of 
the front by the Russian troops, and as a consequence, 
the defeat of the Roumanians by the Austro-Hungarians. 
Stripping the officers of their rank and authority con- 
verted the troops into mobs that ravaged the entire 
country. Deprived of system and organization, these 
troops were condemned to famine. 



CHAPTER XVII 

DEFECTION OF RUSSIANS ON ROUMANIAN FRONT — 
UKRAINIA DECLARES INDEPENDENCE 

{December 20, 1917) 

THE Prime Minister called us to a meeting and 
explained the general situation. He stated that 
all are in accord as to the advisability of a police opera- 
tion to control disbanded troops and restore order. 
The station of Socola, now a Bolshevik hotbed, must 
be brought under strict rule. 

As immediate decision is necessary, we have addressed 
the following letter to the Prime Minister: 

"You have explained to us the situation in which 
Roumania is placed by Maximalist acts, and we realize 
its extreme gravity, and the impossibility of correcting 
it without the aid of the Roumanian army within a 
short time. You inform us that measures to check 
the Maximalist movement are being successfully car- 
ried out in Ukrainia. We approve, and are ready to 
aid, by all means, the police operation proposed, which 
seems the only means to restore order in Moldavia; 
and v/e recognize the imperative necessity of maintain- 
ing a front which connects with the Ukrainian front. 
We realize that if this operation fails, and if Roumania 
is unable to carry out her plan for the removal of the 
troops and the departure of the royal family and officials, 
the Entente must admit that Roumania has done her 
duty, and loyally kept her engagements." 

{Dec. 22.) The situation is becoming worse. Last 
night, armed Bolsheviki from Socola appeared in Jassy 

156 



DEFECTION OF RUSSIANS 157 

and endeavored to seize General Tcherbatcheff. They 
were arrested by the Russian guard and turned over to 
the Roumanian troops. Bolsheviki detachments from 
Russian territory, and from Moldavia, are advancing 
on Jassy. Execution of the pohce operation plan be- 
comes imperative, especially so as large quantities of 
ammunition are at Socola in the hands of the Maxi- 
malists. 

The Prime Minister informs us that immediate 
action was decided upon by the government ministers 
in meeting last night, and he states that this is the last 
act by which the Roumanian government can attempt 
to remedy the desperate situation. He adds that, if 
this fails, or in other words, if instead of restoring order 
in the Russian ranks, it results in a conflict between the 
Russian and Roumanian troops, and at the same time 
an attack on the latter by the Germans, further sacri- 
fices would be of no benefit for the Entente. Roumania 
would have done her full duty, and would not be justi- 
fied in further exposing the country to massacres and to 
the ravages of an army of destruction. 

We understand the Prime Minister's attitude is 
that, in case of absolute necessity, his country may 
make a separate peace, although the Entente will still 
be bound by the terms of its agreement. 

{Dec. 24.) The first steps have been taken agamst 
the Maximalists, and met no resistance. They pro- 
duced good effects and sensibly bettered the morale in 
Roumanian circles. At the demand of General Tcher- 
batcheff, the English and French Legations have placed 
at his disposal funds to pay the Russian troops that 
remain under his command. These troops are without 
present fighting value, the immediate object being to 



158 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

prevent further depredations on their part, with the 
hope of ultimately making them effective again.* 

{Dec. 27.) We have arranged with the Minister of 
Finance for the realization of the credit of $20,000,000 
for feeding the Roumanian armies. He urges that, 
owing to the situation in Russia, due allowance should 
be made Roumania for depreciation, and difficulties 
which would not have been encountered if the credit 
had been allowed when it was asked for, about five 
months before. The banks have been closed, the public 
generally having withdrawn deposits. 

We have today placed at the disposal of the Rou- 
manian government five million dollars, six hundred 
thousand pounds and two million francs. The propor- 
tionately small amount of francs is due to the fact that 
dollars and pounds are easier to negotiate. These 
amounts are to be handed to the president of the Inter- 
allied commissions of South Russia. 

The English and French agents in Odessa state that 
they cannot accomplish their work without the aid of 
the Russian authorities, who will not consent unless the 

*It was at this time that I cabled my government, as previously mentioned, 
that a force of 200,000 fighting Russians could be enlisted to establish order in 
Ukrainia and effectually check the rising tide of Bolshevism, and I begged for 
immediate approval and action to finance the organization. But th^ approval 
came too late. Had it been given within fifteen days, this force could have been 
organized and maintained, and history might have been spared the frightful 
record of subsequent events and conditions in the unhappy countries that were 
denied this means of salvation. 

The plan had the unqualified approval of all the representatives of the Allies 
in Jassy, and it was their unanimous opinion that if America acted promptly, 
it would most favorably alter the Roumanian situation. Furthermore, the 
generally beneficial effects of this operation would encourage similar action in 
Northern Russia, which could be put into effect by the representatives of the 
Allies in Petrograd, and thereby the Maximalists could be kept out of Moscow, 
the most important railroad center, and connection kept open with southern 
Russia, Archangel and Vladivostock. Being in position to fully understand the 
situation in every respect, the ministers in Jassy believed our governments could 
not fail to realize the vital importance of these steps. 




On the Road to Knjashevatz, Serbia 




Tombs of Serbian Soldiers 






i 



DEFECTION OF RUSSIANS 159 

Russian troops on the Roumanian front are fed. This 
cannot be done out of funds in hand, and will necessitate 
a new and special credit. 

(Dec. 30.) We learn that while police operations 
against the Maximalists have been effective in main- 
taining order and lessening depredations, discipline is 
sadly lacking in the Russian troops at the front. The 
Prime Minister considers the situation very dangerous 
and states that unless improvement can be speedily 
brought about, other measures must be adopted. We 
recognize the peril, and believe the only remedy is to 
form a few Russian units, and have able officers return 
to the aid of General Tcherbatcheff, whose greatest 
need is the support of capable officers. 

{Jan. 2, 1918.) The Prime Minister informs us that 
Russian troops continue to abandon the front, and that the 
Roumanian army is in danger of being surrounded. Also 
that news from Ukrainia is bad. Our advices from 
military sources do not agree with his statement. 

All the heavy artillery of the Germans has been 
sent to other fronts, and as a result of the removal of 
troops, the German force is inferior to the Roumanian. 
A menace to the Austrian troops on the Roumanian 
front lies in the friendly relations they are establishing 
with the Russians. 

{Jan. 16.) Apprehension having been expressed by 
the Bessarabian authorities regarding the sending there 
of Roumanian troops to maintain order and protect the 
railroads and the food depots from the Bolsheviki, we 
have, at their request, approved the following written 
guarantee : 

"This is purely a military measure, as its only object 
is to guarantee the normal functioning of service for the 
11 



160 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Russo-Roumanian front, in conformity with the rules 
established in the belligerent countries. This can thus 
not affect in any way the actual or future politics of 
Bessarabia." 

{Jan. 17.) We were visited by the Ukrainian dele- 
gates, Mr. Galip, sub-secretary of the Foreign Affairs 
department, and Mr. Golicynsky, Director of Finance. 
According to Mr. Galip, the situation may be summed 
up as follows: 

(1) According to public opinion, the Ukrainians do 
not consider themselves bound by any treaties which 
originate from the Czarist system. 

(2) That Ukrainia cannot possibly go on fighting, as 
she has no army, and that concerning the Brest-Litovsk 
conference, the Ukrainian people so much want peace 
that it would be impossible for the government to act 
to the contrary, the more as the Bolsheviki have con- 
tracted peace with the Austro-Germans. 

(3) That the Ukrainian government is recruitmg 
troops by voluntary enlistment to maintain order in 
the interior, to fight against the Bolsheviki, and to 
guarantee the independence of the country against the 
foreigners. 

(4) That Ukrainia will not admit interference from 
other Russian states in her interior affairs, and that 
she will respect the independence of those other states. 
(However, Mr. Galip adds that his country does not 
exclude the possibility of a federal bond with the other 
parts of Russia, and that he has even tried to get into 
connections with the South Russia Union, also with 
Bessarabia.) 

(5) That as a result of the interior conditions and 
the connections with the foreign states, the economic 
and financial situation of Ukrainia is particularly grave. 



DEFECTION OF RUSSIANS 161 

Therefore, Mr. Galip has made the following demands: 

(1) That the independence of Ukrainia be recognized 
by the great powers of the Entente, and that diplomatic 
allied representatives be appointed at Kiev. 

(2) That the Entente financially aid the Ukrainian 
government. 

(3) That the Entente facilitate the sending of man- 
ufactured goods to Ukrainia. 

During the conversation, Mr. Galip admitted that 
the military position in Russia would be changed entirely 
if allied forces were sent to Russia, provided the Allies 
were masters of connections with Vladivostock and could 
come to an agreement with Turkey and Bulgaria, whose 
representatives in Brest-Litovsk have shown a certain 
ill-feeling against Germany and Austro-Hungary. 

We stated to Messrs. Galip and Golicynsky that we 
would give them a reply after deliberation. Conse- 
quently, we called on them this morning and stated to 
them as follows: 

(1) That first of all the Allied Powers request that 
Ukrainia, if not at present able to go to war, shall 
agree not to contract a separate peace. We call the 
attention of the Ukrainian delegates to the fact that 
this engagement was already clearly contained in a note 
that their government addressed to the Allied embassies 
in Petrograd, which mentioned that Ukrainia did not 
intend to contract a separate peace, but would only 
participate in a general peace and with full consent 
of the Entente. 

(2) That the Ukrainian government should mean- 
time not get into economic relations with the enemy. 

(3) That the Ukrainian authorities should organize, 
together with the allied military missions, an army 



162 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

strong enough not only to maintain order in the interior, 
but to guarantee the country against exterior attacks. 

(4) That the Ukrainian government should get into 
connection with the other autonomic states of Russia, 
as also with Roumania, so as to be able to oppose a strong 
resistance to the Central Empires, which are the natural 
adversaries of the nationalistic principle, as was once 
confirmed by the Brest-Litovsk negotiations. 

(5) That the Ukrainian government should agree to 
facilitate the sending of foods to Roumania, and that 
the necessary steps should be taken to insure a regular 
service on the railroads, together with Bessarabia and 
the Roumanian government. 

We also considered it our duty to protest as regards 
the statement from Mr. Galip concerning the treaties 
of the Czarist system. We called his attention to the 
fact that the Allied Powers joined the war, not for a 
reason which interested the Czar and his government, 
but at the request of Russia, because of a small Slavic 
population that the Central Powers would crush; that 
the war, started by the Central Powers, was being sus- 
tained by the Allies to defend the principle of nationalism 
in conformity with the feelings of the Russian people. 
Consequently, the Entente Powers have treated, through 
the intermediary of the Imperial government, with the 
whole of Russia, and the fundamental principles of this 
treaty must be accepted and recognized by all the 
Russian states, and especially by Ukrainia. 

We also asserted that the attitude of the Allied 
Powers towards Ukrainia in regard to recognizing its 
independence, giving financial aid, and in the military 
cooperation, were depending on the answer that we 
should receive concerning the five foregoing stipulations. 




Turkish Mosque at Nish 



DEFECTION OF RUSSIANS 163 

The French Minister added that he has from now on 
the authority to recognize the independence of Ukrainia, 
and that he was ready to do so immediately, provided 
the answer of the delegates should prove satisfactory. 

Mr. Galip told us he did not have the necessary 
authority to make the requested engagements, and that 
he would telegraph to Rada. 

The statements of the Ukrainian delegates are fully 
in accord with information received from the allied 
agents at Kiev, proving that the Entente cannot expect 
any real help from Ukrainia for the present. All we 
can expect is to gain time, so that the Allies will have a 
chance to ameliorate the general conditions at the 
front. We again express our opinion that the only 
means to get Ukrainia's attitude in accordance with our 
interests, is to send inter-allied forces to Russia in the 
conditions which we have already mentioned. The 
Roumanian government is under the same impression 
after a meeting with the Ukrainian delegates. 

Prime Minister Bratiano has telegraphed to all the 
Allied countries a protest against the arrest of Minis- 
ter Diamandy. We think it would be wise policy for 
our governments to show sympathy with Roumania 
in this matter. 

We representatives of the Allies in Roumania feel 
it our duty to declare that Maximalist agents are 
guilty of political and military treason, and of the 
commission of monstrous crimes. They are delivering 
their war material to our enemies in exchange for alcohol, 
and they are committing murder, arson, robbery and 
unspeakable crimes against women. Having used the 
greater part of the resources of their country, they are 
extending famine conditions by wantonly destroying 
food depots in Moldavia and Bessarabia. 



164 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

{Jan. 21.) That the only means of suppressing the 
anarchy in Russia Hes in sending there a few American 
or Japanese troops, is apparent, for the following reasons : 

(1) All the Russian and Ukrainian officers assure us 
that if the Kiev government succeeds in maintaining 
independence and organizing an army, they will not 
only refuse to fight, but also to occupy the trenches at 
the front. No more than the Russian army at the pres- 
ent time, will the Ukrainian army start the war again; 
Ukrainia is ready to do anything in order to stay out 
of war. Only inter-allied pressure can change these 
circumstances. 

(2) Three or four Japanese or American divisions 
would suffice to ruin the Bolshevik authority, and bring 
around them, with the defenders of order, all those that 
hide themselves now and do not dare to speak. It 
would be possible to rapidly form an army around these. 
All Russians agree that the soldiers would easily accept 
very severe discipline at the hands of foreign officers. 

(3) This matter is so important, that if nothing is 
done by the Allies, something will be done by the enemy. 
It is a fact that the Russian patriots on one side, and the 
landowners and capitalists on the other, mostly Ger- 
manized Jews, wish to maintain the Russian state, the 
others the security of their properties. If they cannot 
get this from the Allies, they will ask it from the Germans. 

(4) Numerous inter-allied technicians state that mate- 
rially there would not be great difficulty in making the 
Japanese or Americans come to Russia. Once the 
Oriental bases of the Transiberian railroad are occupied, 
a few armored trains would quickly clear the road. 

(5) The moral effect in Russia would be considerable, 
and if we do not do it now, our enemies will do it soon. 



DEFECTION OF RUSSIANS 165 

(6) The Maximalist army, although insignificant now, 
brings danger to the free movements of the Cossacks 
and Ukrainians, and it threatens communication with 
Roumania. It is to be foreseen that they will soon 
undertake the conquest of Southern Russia on account 
of the German command. A few divisions of German 
cavalry would suffice to break all resistance, and would 
serve the German purpose. On the contrary, the hesi- 
tating elements, especially the Ukrainians, state that 
they will definitely bind themselves to us if we will 
give them military help in due time. If not, they will 
telegraph to the French Commission at Kiev: **The 
hands that are stretched towards Germany become 
more numerous and more supplicative." 

(7) The sending of inter-allied troops to Russia, 
even in small numbers, would demobilize a much greater 
number of enemies. In fact, our military interference 
would have the double advantage of permitting the 
Roumanian army to resist longer, and the organization 
of a Russian army. 

(8) The general opinion is that if the question has 
not yet been settled, it is because it has not been pre- 
sented in proper terms; either the importance of the 
effort has been exaggerated, or the attention of the 
Japanese and American governments has not yet been 
called to the extreme gravity of the danger, which is 
worse for them than for the Allies, if we leave the Germans 
to act freely in Russia. 

(9) The sending of these troops could be effected 
without weakening the Western front, if these troops 
consist of Japanese, or even Chinese, who would do very 
well for the purpose. 

(10) If the Japanese government continues to refuse 



166 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

to aid us, the only means would be in sending a small 
number of Americans, aided by Chinese, Japan not 
being in a position to remain disinterested regarding 
actions in the extreme Orient. 

{Jan. 22.) The chief of the Ukrainian delegation 
communicated to us the following information: 

The Ukrainian delegates at Brest-Litovsk have 
received full authority to negotiate peace with the 
Central Powers. They especially insist upon the reopen- 
ing of economic relations. They ask to exchange manu- 
factured goods for foods in Ukrainia. The Kiev govern- 
ment, having no army, and being obliged to use their 
weak police forces against the Maximalists, cannot re- 
sist the pressure of the Central Powers. 

According to Mr. Galip, Ukrainia, even after con- 
clusion of peace, will endeavor, in order to safeguard 
their future interests, to keep on good terms with the 
Allies, to act with their consent and limit to the extreme 
minimum the foods to be sent to the enemy. Mr. Galip 
also states that Ukrainia will facilitate the feeding of 
Roumanians and the removal of the Czecho, Serbian 
and Transylvanian national armies. 

It is doubtful that Ukrainia, even if sincere, will be 
able to work out these intentions, on account of the 
present state of anarchy and the German influence. 

Mr. Bratiano, to whom Mr. Galip has made similar 
statements, declares that the situation of Roumania 
has grown much worse, and he cites the following points: 

(1) The isolation of Roumania by destroying the 
railroad connections, which would become complete in 
case Ukrainia makes peace. 

(2) The conflict between Roumanian troops and 
part of the 6th Russian army, which bombards Galatz. 



DEFECTION OF RUSSIANS 167 

(3) Ultimatum from the 9th Russian army to the 
Roumanian government, to obtain the free passage of 
their arms and luggage to go and join the Maximalist 
troops in Russia. The attitude of these troops is the 
result of orders from Krilenko. 

(4) Resistance on the part of some of the populace 
and the Maximalist troops to the Roumanian troops, 
which have to occupy the railroads in Bessarabia, and 
the arrest of Roumanian members of the inter-allied 
commission of Kichenev. 

(5) Impression, in a sense favorable to peace, made 
on public opinion by these happenings, and possibility 
of a counter act in the next meeting of parliament. 

There is dissension between the Liberal and Con- 
servative ministers. A note has just been presented to 
the king, in which the Conservative members contend 
that in no case should a separate legal peace be concluded. 

{Jan. 25.) General Tcherbatcheff advises us he has 
been notified by the Ukrainian delegates of receipt by 
them of a telegram from Kiev, stating peace will be 
concluded by Ukrainia within eight or ten days. He 
asks our interference, and we informed him our agents in 
Kiev have done everything possible, but their belief is 
that the conclusion of such peace is inevitable. We 
state we count on his loyalty, and he assures us he will 
not participate in a peace with the enemies of the Entente. 

The General admits that the Ukrainian peace would 
put the Roumanian army in a very bad way, by reason 
of being cut off from their supplies of war material. 
There is a depressing sense of complete isolation, which 
we are trying hard to overcome. Bel-gium and Serbia 
are at least in contact with the Allies, but we are abso- 
lutely cut off, and without hope of aid from them. 



CHAPTER XVIII 

PEACE TERMS IMPOSED ON ROUMANIA —RATIFICATION 
URGED BY CENTRAL POWERS 

{January 27, 1918) 

THE Roumanian Prime Minister expresses deep 
concern over the apparent increase of Austro- 
German sympathizers. He has communicated to us the 
instructions from General Coanda looking to securing 
a clause in the expected treaty which would permit 
Roumania the free disposal of the foods and depots, but 
he doubts that the Austro-Germans would consent. 
With the approach of the opening of the parliament, 
pacifist tendencies seem increasing. We are advancing 
the view that a serious Austro-German offensive on the 
Roumanian front would be impossible at present. 

(Jan. 30.) The Prime Minister advises us that he 
has telegraphed our governments of the breaking off of 
diplomatic relations with the Maximalist government, 
and of the sequestration of Roumanian funds in Moscow. 
He also states that Ukrainia has asked that troops be 
sent to Kiev, Poltava and Odessa. He thinks the Allies 
should protect them against the loss of the funds, and 
I stated that while I cannot do so without authority 
from our governments, if the Roumanian army will 
march into Russia, I will join my colleagues in such a 
guarantee. 

We have repeatedly stated that the only way to 
help Roumania, and to protect the Allies against new 
attacks, is to better conditions in Russia by sending 
inter-allied troops into that country. The fact that 
Ukrainia asks for troops from Roumania, the most 

168 



PEACE TERMS IMPOSED ON ROUMANIA 169 

unpopular in Russia of all the Allies, is a sure indica- 
tion that an inter-allied expedition would be wel- 
comed. 

{Feb. 2.) We have addressed a letter to the Prime 
Minister, assuring him of the confidence of our govern- 
ments, and stating that in event of the alternative of 
either suffering another Austro-German offensive or 
making a separate peace, the best way to overcome 
the pacifist tendencies would be through military activity 
on the other fronts, if possible. 

The Prime Minister stated to us today that Roumania 
is the only one of the Allied countries with which the 
Bolsheviki have broken off diplomatic relations, and he 
suggests it would be wise policy on the part of our 
governments to maintain amicable relations with the 
Bolsheviki in Ukrainia. 

{Feb. 4.) The Roumanian ministers have asked us 
to arrange for the safe return of their representatives 
now in Odessa. We have instructed our consuls general 
in Odessa, and have advised our governments of what 
we believe would be the wisest procedure. Prime Min- 
ister Bratiano again calls our attention to the sacrifices 
made by Roumania, stating that it was with our consent 
that he undertook the police protection against the 
Maximalists, and if grave consequences result there- 
from, he holds that the Entente should consider that 
Roumania has fulfilled her obligations, and they should 
keep all their agreements, even if Roumania should be 
unable to continue the fight against the Germans. 

This indicates the state of mind of the Roumanian 
government and of the majority of the people. We are 
doing our utmost to counteract it, but the position is very 
difficult, with the impossibility of any military assistance 



170 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

A 

vn from the Allies thus far, and the tempting peace proposals 
made by the Germans. 

{Feb. 5.) The Prime Minister has conferred with 
us regarding the message received from von Mackensen. 
He understands it to mean that unless peace negotia- 
tions are begun, another attack will be made on Rou- 
mania. We believe that von Mackensen regards an 
armistice as of no value unless it is followed by peace 
proposals, and that he considers the military standing 
of Roumania as crippled by the defection of the Rus- 
sian troops and the conflict with the Maximalists. We 
have expressed the belief that the enemy is not in good 
form for an offensive, but Mr. Bratiano says the Germans 
do not make threats unless they intend to fulfill them. 

{Feb. 6.) The German Staff has fixed a limit of 
four days for peace negotiations to be begun. 

{Feb. 7.) Certain of the Roumanian ministers take 
a decided stand against the negotiations of a separate 
peace. The Prime Minister declares he will resign un- 
less a peace conference is held, but he is willing to 
aid the members of the Conservative party in form- 
ing a new cabinet. We have informed him that the 
attitude of our governments has been clearly stated, 
and that we are unalterably opposed to any peace 
negotiations. 

It is the general belief that the Germans will be 
comparatively moderate in their terms, and that King 
Ferdinand will be permitted to retain the throne. This 
strengthens the peace party. 

The leaders of the Conservative party in a confer- 
ence with us, at which General Berthelot was present, 
declared they were opposed to peace negotiations, but 
the Prime Minister does not share their views. The 




At the Funeral of Queen Elisabeth 
Charge d'affaires Monteforti of Persia. Herr von 
Bussche, German Minister, Count Czernin, Austro- 
Hungarian Minister and Charles J. Vopicka, American 
Minister 




Prince Nicolai of Roumania in the Parade on May io 



PEACE TERMS IMPOSED ON ROUMANIA 171 

Conservatives feel they are too much in the minority 
to be effective, especially as they cannot get the support 
of General Averescu, whose authority is great, and who 
has declared in favor of the peace negotiations. 

The resignations of the ministers have been accepted 
by the king. We have urged Take Jonescu to accept 
the office of Prime Minister, but he declined, saying he 
would have neither the king's approval nor the Liberal 
party's cooperation in his policy. 

The Maximalist committees of Odessa have pro- 
posed that a mixed commission investigate matters in 
Bessarabia and the Russo-Roumanian front. We have 
sanctioned the participation of Allies' delegates, as sug- 
gested by the Maximalists. This is important, as 
the continuation of hostilities between Roumania and 
the Maximalists will be one of the main arguments in 
favor of a separate peace. 

After the armistice was signed between the Bolshe- 
viki and Germany, many people who at the beginning 
of the war had been obliged to leave their homes, in 
Russia, Poland or in the district where the armies were 
operating, were returning to their homes via Jassy, in 
a condition which was more than pitiful. 

One case was especially touching. In a train full 
of Polish families the two rear cars had no windows or 
doors. The weather was frightfully cold, and when I 
arrived to see these travelers, who had applied to me for 
aid, I found many women nearly frozen, with children 
on their laps, and among them were six women who 
were so far gone with cold and himger that they did not 
know their children were dead. 

The Roumanians did not have very much to give. 



172 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

but this picture of misery touched me so much that I 
went directly to the Minister of War and asked him to 
give these people the necessary bread, so that they could 
be sustained until their arrival at Odessa. I also obtained 
for them from my friends a supply of tea, coffee and sugar, 
and helped them to bury their poor babies before they 
proceeded, although for a while they refused to part 
with them. I also had two good cars substituted for 
the ones without windows. This was one of the most 
pitiful scenes that I witnessed during the war. 

(Feb. 9.) The king has authorized General Averescu 
to form a new cabinet. The day after he was made 
Prime Minister he informed me that he was in favor of 
peace. It is evident that negotiations between Roumania 
and the Central Powers will lead to a separate peace in 
a short time, unless the Entente can bring about a 
decided change in conditions. We think this can only 
be effected by authorizing the four ministers of the Allies 
to make the following representations to the king of 
Roumania : 

(1) That the Allied Powers will absolutely main- 
tain all their engagements with Roumania in the con- 
vention of Bucharest of August, 1916. That they will 
not conclude peace without the freedom of Roumania 
and that the king will be replaced on the throne in case 
he has to leave the country, that in any case, the king 
and the Roumanian government, even after having been 
compelled to leave the country, will participate at the 
peace negotiations, and finally that all financial and 
other aid will be furnished to the king, the government, 
the parliament and the Roumanian army, even out of 
the national territory. It would be desirable that this 



PEACE TERMS IMPOSED ON ROUMANIA 173 

statement be made also in the name of the American 
government, although it did not sign at the Convention 
of Bucharest. 

(2) That anything accomplished on the invaded 
territory would be considered nil by the Allied Powers. 

(3) That the Allies will undertake a powerful offensive 
on the Western front, and on the Italian front, and if 
possible also on the Balkanic front, in case Roumania 
should be threatened to be crushed on account of breaking 
off the conference at Focsani. 

(4) That the Entente would do everything possible 
to terminate the conflict with the Maximalists. 

If our governments approve of this course, it will be 
necessary to give instructions accordingly without delay. 

We urge the importance of giving publicity, through 
the press of the Allied countries, to events and conditions 
in Roumania, fully setting forth the sacrifices that have 
been made, and emphasizing the woeful state of isolation. 

{Feb. 12.) The German Staff has allowed an exten- 
sion of time for beginning peace negotiations, in order to 
permit the formation of a new cabinet. Von Mackensen 
stated he expected results in forty-eight hours, adding 
that he presumed the new cabinet would not contain 
any anti-Germans or any of the former Bratiano min- 
istry. This insolence is greatly resented, and the king 
has ordered the chief of the Roumanian staff to declare 
at the outset that negotiations can be conducted only 
on principles in force between independent states. 

Germany's attitude seems to indicate that her terms 
will be harsh, which may cause a change of the Rou- 
manian sentiment, particularly if the Entente military 
operations become more successful. 

{Feb. 15.) We understand delegates have been sent 



174 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

to Bucharest to ask extension of the armistice one 
month. General Averescu appears to have little faith 
in the eventual success of the Allies. It is estimated 
that there are 800,000 English on the French front, and 
the Roumanian Minister in Washington advises that 
500,000 Americans will be there next fall. 

In a conference today, General Averescu declares 
that no possible benefit can acrue to the Allies through 
any further sacrifices by Roumania. He says the public 
is strong for peace, and he favors it also, though he will 
not accept any conditions humiliating to Roumania or 
the Allies. The Germans have extended the time for 
opening negotiations to February 22. 

{Feb. 18.) The news came today of the break of 
the armistice between Russia and the Central Powers. 
The result can plainly be foreseen : Russia will be unable 
to offer any resistance, and the enemy will take possession 
of Ukrainia, and then Roumania will be completely 
surrounded by her foes. 

Also, the Maximalist Committee at Odessa, pre- 
sided over by the Roumano-Bulgarian agitator, Rakow- 
sky, has sent an ultimatum to Roumania to remove her 
troops from Bessarabia, and is making other unacceptable 
demands. This confirms the belief that in case of a 
German offensive, the Roumanians will not be able to 
retreat to Russia. 

We are forced to realize that no effort on our part 
can delay the conclusion of a separate peace, unless the 
German demands are so intolerable as to be rejected, 
but even then, resistance can be of only brief duration. 

{Feb. 20.) Without awaiting Roumania's answer to 
their ultimatum, the Odessa Maximalists have seized 
and imprisoned the Roumanians in that city, many of 




At the American Consulate in Belgrade 




Talking with English Lieutenant who was at the Head 
OF the English War Prisoners' Camp in Philippopolis, 
Bulgaria 



PEACE TERMS IMPOSED ON ROUMANIA 175 

whom are confined in the hold of the ship "Sinope," 
where they are subjected to inhuman treatment. We 
have telegraphed our consuls to protest energetically, 
and have urged our governments to do everything pos- 
sible to secure the freedom of these prisoners and their 
return to this country. 

It has been arranged that General Averescu will 
meet Czemin and von Kuhlman the day after tomorrow, 
and will learn the German terms. The Prime Minister 
says that if they are beyond acceptance, the blame for an 
"unnecessary slaughter" will rest on the Central Powers. 

The Prime Minister has been advised of the arrest 
of General Coanda, in Kiev, and we are making every 
effort to secure his release. 

{Feb. 25.) General Averescu has returned from 
Bucharest, where the negotiations were halted by the 
abrupt departure of von Kuhlman and Czemin for 
Brest-Litovsk. Up to that point, the time had been 
taken up mainly by Austrian Minister Czemin's speech, 
in which he violently assailed Roumania's attitude during 
her neutrality, also the treatment he received when he 
was obliged to leave Bucharest. There was a hint of 
contest of Roumania's rights in Dobrudja, and also of 
a heavy levy on wheat and petroleum. 

{Feb. 26.) General Averescu sums up Czemin's ii 

utterances as follows: "The last moment has arrived 
when it will be possible for a peace which will guarantee 
the existence of Roumania and the Roumanian crown. 
If she does not bow to the terms, she will be crushed 
within one month, and will disappear forever from the 
map of Europe. Roumania need not be surprised at 
receiving the same treatment she would accord Hungary, 
if Roumanian troops occupied Budapest." 

12 



176 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Just before his departure, Count Czemin demanded 
an audience with King Ferdinand, in order to hand him 
personal communications from his sovereign. After 
much hesitation, the king has granted the audience for 
tomorrow, in Moldavia. 

Today, as on previous days, all discussion by the 
Roumanians seems to get back to two points, namely, 
that resistance could not possibly be prolonged more 
than two months, and that retreat into Russia is impos- 
sible. And as on previous days, we have urged the 
possibility of improvement in Russian conditions, and 
the probability of great changes in favor of the Allies 
on the other fronts. 

{Feb. 28.) The Prime Minister, returning from 
Bacau, states that Czemin demanded of the king that 
Dobrudja should be ceded, and not to Bulgaria alone 
but to the fourfold alliance. In readjustment of the 
border in favor of Austro-Hungary, the Fortes de Fer, 
the Jiu Pass and the district of Domavatra must be 
given up. Also the wheat and petroleum are to be taken, 
which represent the greatest wealth of the country. 

General Averescu says only two courses are open 
for Roumania: either capitulate, and lose independence 
for an indefinite period, as well as lose her valuable 
material resources, or fight to the end, which would only 
postpone the same conditions. In either case, there 
would be no benefit for the Allies. He reiterates that 
the Allies cannot aid Roumania, and that retreat through 
Russia is impossible, and asks if, in the circumstances, 
the peace is not better for the Allies as well as for 
Roumania. We adhere to our fully declared belief in 
fighting to the end. 



PEACE TERMS IMPOSED ON ROUMANIA 177 

(March 1.) We have urged our governments to give 
fullest publicity to the German ultimatum, also to the 
threat to divide Roumania between Hungary and 
Bulgaria. 

{March 2.) A Polish brigade has deserted the Aus- 
trian service, and is now in the north of Bessarabia. 
The commander has sent one of his officers to us to state 
that the Poles are highly indignant over the Ukrainian 
peace. They wish full publicity of their sentiment in 
all the Allied countries, and to have it understood that 
the freedom of Poland, giving her an outlet to the sea, 
is one of the great objects of the war. We desire the 
aid of this brigade, and other troops at the front, and we 
have therefore stated that, according to the chiefs of 
the Allied governments, the freedom of Poland is one 
of the chief objects of the Entente, and they will not 
recognize any treaties imposed on her by the enemy. 
The Poles state that a good part of the Austrian troops 
on the Italian front are Poles, and these will be favorably 
affected by a proper declaration by the Allies. 

{March 4.) At a Crown meeting, the king stated 
that personally he was in favor of fighting to the end, 
but as a constitutional monarch he must defer to the 
advice of the responsible ministry. The crown prince, in 
his own name and that of his mother. Queen Marie, 
declared most earnestly in favor of war to the end. 
Thereupon the Prime Minister tendered his resigna- 
tion, but later on, at the request of the king, he with- 
drew it. 

The Germans have made new demands, and ampli- 
fied their former ones. We have asked our governments 
for authority to formally express the sympathy of our 
countries, with the assurance that the good will of the 



178 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Allies shall not be lessened when the hour of the Peace 
Conference arrives. 

(March 9.) Day by day, the Central Powers have 
extended their demands. Today we are informed that 
Count Czemin, contrary to previous assurances, now 
states that our military missions may not depart at once 
in safety, but will be held in quarantine thirty days. 
These missions, together with the members of the 
American Red Cross, protested against the thirty 
days* quarantine and have decided to leave today for 
Russia. The king has assured us that he will not accept 
any conditions dishonoring Roumania, and it is a point 
of honor with her that the officers of the Allies receive 
safe conduct. 

{March 11,) The military missions left yesterday, 
and today the Prime Minister informed us that the 
Central Powers had yielded to the protest, and promised 
to facilitate their return. However, they advised a 
delay of ten to fifteen days until the railroads were 
repaired. 

{March 12.) Count Czemin having gone to Vienna, 
the peace negotiations will be discontinued until March 
14. Coupled with their former demands, the Central 
Powers will make the following conditions: 

(1) Monopoly of wheat exports for from five to ten 
years. 

(2) Cession with contract to a German company of 
the petroleum fields of the state. 

(3) Control of the railroads until the end of the war. 

(4) Equality of rights of Catholic and Orthodox 
churches. 

(5) Equal civil and political rights for the Jews. 




Minister Vopicka, Consul General Murphy, Colonel 
Yates and Captain Klepal, Visiting the Camp of 
English War Prisoners at Plovdivo, Philippopolis 




--' ^--f- 



Itt 



m 



Bm 



i'FiirWiiii' 



Detention Camp of English War Prisoners 
AT Philippopolis 



PEACE TERMS IMPOSED ON ROUMANIA 179 

General Averescu having failed to properly defend 
Roumanian rights in recent negotiations, the king has 
summoned Mr. Marghiloman from Bucharest, and 
requested him to form a new ministry, stating that one 
of its principles must be the maintenance of amicable 
relations with the Entente. The Germans would prefer 
to treat with General Averescu, regarding him as more 
favorable to their interests. 



CHAPTER XIX 

CZECHO-SLOVAKS IN RUSSIA — VALOROUS DEEDS AND 
INVALUABLE AID TO ALLIES 

{March 13, 1918) 

CONFIDENTIAL advices from Bucharest are that 
the Central Powers are more than ever confident 
of ultimate victory, because of their easy success in 
Russia, and the large quantity of food stuffs they will 
be able to obtain there. In order to counteract the 
effect of this on the Roumanians, we have requested 
our governments to give us full information regarding 
the interior conditions of the Central Powers, as well 
as the extent of the resources they will acquire in Russia. 
It is also important that we be advised of the prospects 
for protection of the Transiberian railroad. 

I sent three special telegrams to my government 
urging such protection there, either with our own soldiers 
or those of Japan, and I have received assurance that 
the situation is not so bad as I believe, and that the 
government will keep it in constant view. 

At that time the most feasible solution seemed to be 
an arrangement with the Japanese, as they had an army 
ready for immediate action, but our government appeared 
to prefer postponement of such an arrangement until 
it was absolutely necessary. The Roumanian govern- 
ment, and my colleagues and I, had been anxious to 
have the Czecho-Slovaks in Russia brought to Bessarabia 
to guard the railroads and the provisions which the Allies 
had furnished for the Roumanian army. 

When Professor Masaryk, the present president of 
the Czecho-Slovak Republic, was in Jassy, in January, 

180 



CZECHO-SLOVAKS IN RUSSIA 181 

1918, we discussed the matter and endeavored to have 
the plan carried out, although he said: "You have not 
enough food for yourselves. How can you provide for 
our soldiers in addition?" I sent a telegram to the 
Czecho-Slovak commander through the English consul in 
Kiev, assuring him that the other allied ministers and 
I had funds and authority to provide fully for them. 
As this was not answered, probably the telegram did 
not reach its destination. Owing to the strike of the 
Bolshevik railroad men, it was impossible for the troops 
to come. However, they performed most valuable ser- 
vices in Russia. 

Many of the Czecho-Slovaks were enlisted with the 
Russians, especially under Generals Brussiloff, Douk- 
onine and Alexeieff, and many times they achieved 
glorious victories over the Germans and Austrians. As 
soon as Ukrainia declared its independence, it announced 
its intent to make a separate peace with the Central 
Powers. The Bolsheviki in Moscow opposed this, but 
the Ukrainians were not disposed to take orders from a 
government that they felt was going to pieces. 

The Czecho-Slovaks were between two fires — on 
one side the Bolsheviki, and on the other the Ukrain- 
ians, from which perilous position they were rescued 
by the splendid diplomacy of the Czecho-Slovak National 
Assembly. The Bolsheviki in Ukrainia and Moscow 
remained passive, expecting that the Czecho-Slovaks 
would imbibe the Bolshevik doctrines, but in this they 
were greatly disappointed. The Czecho-Slovaks declared 
that they would take no part in Russian affairs, but 
would continue to fight German autocracy and Austrian 
oppression. 

Their position became very difficult after the election 



182 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

of a new Germanophile Hetman (governor) for Ukrainia. 
After this the Czecho-Slovak National Assembly severed 
relations with Ukrainia, and decided to remove the 
troops to the western front in France, as they could not 
join the army of the Allies in the north, there being 
neither supplies nor railroad transportation obtainable. 
The Ukrainians and Bolsheviki consented to the remov- 
al of the Czecho-Slovak troops over the Transiberian 
railroad to Vladivostock. 

Emperor Karl, of Austro-Hungary, made overtures 
to the Czecho-Slovak army for an honorable surrender, 
assuring them amnesty and promising autonomy for 
Czecho-Slovakia, but they had no faith in Austrian 
promises. They knew the old emperor never kept his 
promises, and they placed no faith in his successor. 
In fact, they believed, if they were caught by the incom- 
ing Austrian army, that they would be shot or imprisoned. 

On February 15, 1918, they started to march on foot 
to the banks of the river Dneiper. They were well 
supplied with ammunition which they had taken from 
the Russian warehouses, but they had no food, clothing, 
shoes, fodder or field kitchens. Nevertheless, this ragged 
looking army was composed of intelligent men, some 
eighty per cent being university students. Each division 
had a library of several hundred books, and they also 
published an eight-page daily paper. 

They were obliged to pull their wagons themselves, 
as their horses were too weak to be of service. They 
lived on horse meat, dogs and frogs. They roasted 
barley and made a substitute for coffee from it, and they 
ate the grounds. They did not rob the peasants, but 
when they arrived in a village where the inhabitants 
were unwilling to give them food, they remained quietly 




Royal Palace at Sinaia, Roumania 



CZECHO-SLOVAKS IN RUSSIA 183 

in the public square, sometimes from morning until 
night, until the villagers had compassion and brought 
them food. They paid for everything they received, 
and their conduct in every respect assured a favorable 
reception for those who came after them. When they 
were able to get grain they took it to the nearest mill 
to be ground and they said, " We have no need of tooth 
powder, because the millstones are so soft they leave 
enough grit in the flour to keep our teeth clean and sharp." 

After twenty days of marching, they encountered a 
division of German troops at Bakmatch, who had 
expected to overcome and annihilate the Czecho-Slovaks, 
but to their great surprise the Czecho-Slovaks turned 
the tables by beginning the attack themselves. The 
battle lasted four days, after which the Germans retreated 
in disorder, leaving two thousand dead on the battle 
field, while the Czecho-Slovaks lost only four hundred 
men. After this defeat, the Germans were very wary 
of the Czecho-Slovaks, whose army rumor declared was 
300,000 strong. 

At Bakmatch, the Czecho-Slovaks took possession 
of one hundred engines and three thousand cars, which 
had been abandoned by the Bolsheviki when the Germans 
approached. These cars contained all kinds of goods 
and army material, such as rifles, flour, sugar, uniforms, 
airplanes and provisions of every description. All these, 
and a number of other abandoned trains discovered as 
they proceeded, were saved for the Russians from German 
seizure. 

The Bolsheviki knew that the Czecho-Slovaks would 
not support their policy of anarchy and destruction, 
and they feared this army might join the conservative 
Russian elements. 



184 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

At Kurks, the Bolshevik commander of that station 
demanded that they surrender their arms, and after 
some delay the machine guns and batteries were given up. 

On March 20, Professor Masaryk obtained written 
permission from Lenine and Trotsky for passage of the 
Czecho-Slovak troops, but when they arrived at Pensa 
they were notified by the local Soviets that they could 
not proceed without complete disarmament. After two 
days, the Czecho-Slovaks were obliged to accept the 
proposition that three battalions of each regiment 
should completely disarm, and only one battalion was 
to retain rifles, with one hundred cartridges for each 
rifle, and also one machine gun. As much as possible, 
the soldiers evaded this by hiding many rifles, cartridges 
and hand grenades in the cars. 

This was a scheme of the Germans, who were at 
that time dictators in Moscow, to leave the Czecho- 
slovaks at the mercy of the German, Austrian and 
Magyar ex-prisoners in Siberia, who, as was later dis- 
covered, had been freely armed and organized for the 
purpose of exterminating the Czecho-Slovaks in Siberia. 

Some of the first trains arrived in Vladivostock by 
April 25, but the majority of them were greatly delayed 
all along the route. They had frequent encounters with 
the Bolsheviki, who demanded their complete disarma- 
ment. The Czecho-Slovaks were victorious from Pensa 
to Vladivostock. 

At Chaliabinsk, many delegates and members of 
the Czecho-Slovak National Assembly held a consulta- 
tion. The Bolsheviki were endeavoring to check the 
movements of the troops, and endeavored to divert 
them to Murmansk, where they expected to entrap 
them. 



CZECHO-SLOVAKS IN RUSSIA 185 

Three trainloads of German and Austro-Himgarian 
ex-prisoners reached the Siberian station when a Czecho- 
slovak echelon was there. The ex-prisoners complained 
that they were starving, so the Czecho-Slovaks shared 
their rations, giving them all they could spare, but 
instead of being grateful, these ex-prisoners were arro- 
gant and insulting, and as one trainload of them was 
departing, a German in the last car flung a big iron bar 
into a group of Czecho-Slovak soldiers, seriously wound- 
ing one of them. 

The wrath of the Czecho-Slovaks was without bounds. 
They pursued the train and compelled the engineer to 
stop, and the man who threw the iron bar was beaten 
so severely that he died from his injuries. The Soviet 
garrison, two thousand men strong, ordered an inquiry, 
and placed a number of the Czecho-Slovaks under 
arrest as witnesses. The Czecho-Slovaks sent an armed 
company and demanded immediate release of the impris- 
oned men. The Soviet not only released the men but 
apologized as well. 

The Soviets claimed that instructions from Moscow 
were being awaited, and the Czecho-Slovaks were de- 
tained about ten days. Then a telegraph operator on 
the latter side intercepted a telegram from Trotski 
giving instructions to the Soviet at that place, and to 
the Bolsheviki everywhere, to arrest and disarm all 
Czecho-Slovakian troops, and thereafter if any were 
found with a rifle they were to be shot. This was the 
customary Bolshevik method, but it was accepted by 
the Czecho-Slovaks as a plain declaration of war, and 
they proceeded immediately to take possession of the 
stations, seizing all the provisions and war material 
and disarming the Bolshevik garrisons. 



186 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

At the city of Chaliabinsk, the Soviet garrison had 
orders to imprison the Czecho-Slovaks the next morning, 
but during the night the latter surrounded the barracks 
of the garrison and fired a salvo in the windows. In 
fifteen minutes the barracks were in their possession and 
the whole garrison made prisoners, and next they took 
possession of the entire town of about 70,000 inhabitants. 
The people of the city were greatly relieved, and warmly 
thanked the Czecho-Slovaks for liberating them from 
the Bolshevik misrule. The Czecho-Slovaks also took 
charge of the Siberian railroad, keeping it open for the 
Allies, and preventing the Germans and Bolsheviki 
from obtaining supplies from Siberia. Likewise they 
controlled navigation on the Volga River. They also 
were the means of keeping in Russia the many thousands 
of German and Austro-Hungarian war prisoners whose 
release had been arranged by the Central Powers. The 
Czecho-Slovaks prevented the enemy from organizing 
a new army of these prisoners of war. The apprecia- 
tion of the Allies was shown by their ready consent to 
giving independence to Czecho-Slovakia. 

The Czecho-Slovak army stayed at its post until 
the end of the war in 1919. Several thousands of 
them were killed or died from sickness. During their 
encounters, they were reinforced by the Polish, Serbian 
and Roumanian war prisoners, as well as anti-Bolshe- 
vik Russians, so that at one time their army was over 
100,000 strong. Towards the end of the Allies' campaign 
in Siberia, they were also fighting at the side of the 
American troops. 




King Ferdinand I of Roumania 



CHAPTER XX 

NEW ROUMANIAN CABINET — PEACE TERMS DEPRIVING 
COUNTRY OF MOST VALUABLE RESOURCES 

{March 16, 1918) 

MR. MARGHILOMAN is expected in Jassy, but 
it appears doubtful that he will accept the new 
ministry. In this case, one will probably be formed of 
the generals and officials, who are likely to accept the 
conditions imposed by the enemy without discussion. 
The German sympathizers are doing everything possible 
to retain General Averescu, and the internal dissension 
which is likely to result will be a favorable factor for 
the Central Powers. It is to be noted that neither of 
the two great parties favorable to the Entente have 
consented to take part in the negotiations. 

{March 17.) The Prime Minister informed us of 
the protest of the German staff against alleged propa- 
ganda, by officers of the Allies, among the troops of the 
Central Powers. We answered that this charge was 
without foundation, as the Allied officers on the Rou- 
manian front have at all times worn their national 
uniforms, and the only ones that remained have been 
in Jassy ever since the opening of negotiations. This 
protest indicates the attitude of the authorities of the 
Central Powers towards the Allied legations. 

Mr. Marghiloman has arrived, and has consented 
to form the new ministry. While there is no doubt of 
the attitude of any ministry which he will form, the 
conditions, in any event, will place the Roumanian 
government wholly in the power of the Germans. The 
king has received a telegram from Bucharest, stating 

187 



188 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

that Marshal von Mackensen declares that the minister- 
ial crisis cannot affect the proceedings of negotiations, 
and consequently all the conditions mentioned by the 
Central Powers must be accepted by the signature of 
Roumanian plenipotentiaries before noon on the 19th 
of this month, and if they are not accepted by that 
time, the terms will be made still harder. Also he 
demands that General Averescu shall be a member of 
the new cabinet. 

Likewise, in addition to the six Entente sympathizers 
who have asked to be sent to Switzerland, the Austrian 
delegate has asked that about thirty other persons also 
be sent out of the country. The most important one of 
the six was Mr. Take Jonescu, and among the thirty 
others are the brothers Bratiano, several of their former 
intimates, and a number of high officials of the court 
and the state. 

The character of the Austro-German demands plainly 
indicates a disposition to reduce Roumania to a condition 
of slavery, at least until the end of the general war. 

{March 19.) Mr. Marghiloman's cabinet has been 
formed and the members have taken their oaths this 
morning. It is composed of very ordinary men except 
the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. M. C. Arion, who 
has been a minister several times, and although he 
remained in Bucharest, he has not been unfriendly to 
the Entente. 

{March 22.) The Central Powers impose on the 
Roumanians a contract for the concession of the exploita- 
tion and sale of petroleum, which embraces the complete 
control of this industry, and seems a disguised means 
of involving all private Roumanian interests in the 
petroleum business, and also to acquire any kind of 



NEW ROUMANIAN CABINET 189 

property throughout the country. The contract stip- 
ulates that for a period of ninety-nine years the exclusive 
rights to exploit will be given to a society to be indicated 
by the Central Powers. The present concessions will 
not be renewed, and will go to the new society at the 
expiration of their term. 

This society will have the use of all present con- 
nections and installations belonging to the state, and 
will be allowed to establish others as they see fit. 
For this purpose, they may dispossess any individuals 
without having to prove the public utiUty of their con- 
templated work. Thus there will be no place in the 
country that they cannot invade on the pretext of 
establishing a railway or road. Any disagreements will 
be arranged by arbitration. If the two parties to a 
dispute cannot agree on an arbitrator, it will be arranged 
by the Tribunal of Leipzig. Any fault will be brought 
before the Tribunal of Bucharest or the Tribunal of 
Berlin, according to the wish of the defense. By this 
means there will be no chance of discrimination in favor 
of the Roumanians. 

The capital of the company, which will monopolize 
the petroleum trade, will be more than three-fourths 
Austro-German and the rest Roumanian. This company 
will not be under the Roumanian laws governing foreign 
associations. The organization will dispose of all the 
petroleum produced by individuals, or other societies, 
at its ov/n prices, and in exchange for bonds. Any 
nev/ installations by others are subject to the society's 
approval. It will also have a monopoly of the export 
of petroleum and its products. By this means Rou- 
mania will be deprived of the most valuable of her natural 
resources, for the benefit of a foreign country. The 



190 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Austro-German companies will have as many rights as 
the Roumanian state, and even more. The Roumanian 
government is required to ratify all these concessions. 

Information from Southern Russia is that the Ger- 
mans continue to advance without resistance on the 
part of the Russians. They have recruited a great 
number of late Russian prisoners, who have been under 
German instruction for a year, and also the Austro- 
German prisoners they have found there. They have 
also started organizing a Ukrainian army, and expect 
soon to occupy the Donetz, where there is an abundance 
of raw material, which they lack. 

In these circumstances, and as the departure of the 
Allied missions from Russian territory is regarded as 
an abdication by the Entente, it appears that an ener- 
getic and important military action will be the only 
means of uniting the different elements which are still 
favorable. To be thoroughly effective, this movement 
should start from the extreme East, and the majority 
of the troops would have to be Japanese. 

{March 26.) A courier dispatched to Switzerland 
by the Swiss Legation has been stopped by orders 
of von Mackensen, and compelled to return to Jassy. 
The reason given by the German staff is the desire to 
completely isolate Roumania. If they carry this further 
it will make it impossible for us to correspond with our 
governments. By taking the wireless our only means 
of communication will be cut off. 

{March 30.) In addition to previous demands, the 
Central Powers have given a memorandum to the 
Roumanian government of the following requirements: 

(1) Reestablishment of the commercial conventions 
adapting them to the new state of affairs, with reserva- 




TiLEAjEN Valley. View of Monastery 




Room in the Royal Palace in Sinaia 



NEW ROUMANIAN CABINET 191 

tion of modifications that might be required by the 
customs rules between the Central Powers. 

(2) Concession of rights in order to safeguard the 
financial interests. 

(3) Cancellation of privileges that had been granted 
during the war to another state, and concession of the 
same privileges to the Central Powers. 

(4) Judiciary convention between Roumania and 
Austro-Hungary. 

(5) Convention regarding protection of trademarks. 

(6) Damages granted to interned civilians. 

(7) Cooperation of Roumania in a new navigation 
act for the Danube River, and changes in the European 
commission. 

It is apparent that the concession of rights for the 
defense of the financial interests signifies the complete 
control by the enemy of all economic resources of the 
country. 

The protection of trade-marks will probably afford 
opportunity for the Germans to imitate manufactured 
goods of the Allies. 

The new navigation act is construed as indicating 
a removal of the former international commission, and 
its replacement by appointees of the Central Powers. 

(March 31.) Developments in Southern Russia 
appear very unfavorable to the Allies' interests. The 
Central Powers intend to extend arbitrarily the borders 
of Ukrainia to all the districts which they wish to exploit. 
They comprise the Black Sea district, part of Bessarabia, 
the Don River, Crimea, and Caucasia, thus occupying 
the route to Persia and India. Odessa is intended to be 
a free city under Austro-German control. 

The Austrians and Germans disagree regarding polit- 

13 



192 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

ical ruling of Russia. The Austrians, being less ambi- 
tious, are in favor of a nominally independent Ukrainia, 
while the Germans are in favor of a federal Russia. 
By their acts, the Austro-Germans are generally received 
as liberators in the cities. In the country districts they 
are seizing all the provisions, but they meet with oppo- 
sition, and are sometimes killed by peasants who were 
former soldiers. 

The chief of the food service estimates that the 
Central Powers stocks have been increased fully twenty 
per cent already acquired in Russia, and this increase will 
be vastly greater by September, when the new crops are 
due. It seems probable that the acts of the Austro- 
Germans in seeking to greatly increase their own supplies 
at the expense of the Russians will cause an uprising in 
favor of the Allies, and facilitate interference on their 
part. 

{April 2.) Mr. Marghiloman, who has returned 
from Bucharest, thinks the Austro-Germans, having 
hastened the demobilization of the Roumanian army 
and arrived at an understanding of the territorial and 
economic questions, will delay conclusion of the peace 
negotiations in order that the bulk of their troops may 
remain in the occupied territory. The attitude of the 
enemy negotiators is almost unbearable. Czemin con- 
stantly threatens drastic action in Bessarabia if Rou- 
mania does not accept all the conditions. Members of 
the cabinet are now feeling that the only ultimate salva- 
tion of Roumania will lie in success of the Allies. 

We believe none of our governments will accept 
the proposed changes in the Danube Commission, and 
are awaiting instructions from them for us to make 
protest to the Roumanian government. 



NEW ROUMANIAN CABINET 193 

{April 3.) We are advised that the German staff 
is considering having the French Military Mission at 
Constantinople interned, which is contrary to the agree- 
ment made with the Central Powers at the beginning of 
negotiations. 

A radio from Lyons states that Japanese interference 
in Siberia depends on Russian consent. This news has 
made a very favorable impression here, as it is believed 
such consent has already been given. 

{April 6.) The Prime Minister states that nego- 
tiations are being conducted by the Germans and the 
Hungarians, Messrs. Graz and Stereni, the Austrians 
passively following their lead. The Hungarians are very 
severe with Czernin, and reproach him for any conces- 
sions he is disposed to make. 

Mr. Marghiloman will go to Bucharest in three or 
four days to sign the peace. He assures us that the war 
material and equipment will remain untouched in the 
depots, and that property located in the occupied 
territory will be guarded by Roumanians. 

The direction of the society for the exploitation of 
the monopoly of petroleum will be exclusively German. 
Austro-Hungary will have only a financial participation, 
in the same degree as the Roumanians. 

No part of the territory still free will be occupied by 
the Central Powers. As regards the occupied territory, 
they should in principle move out only at the general 
peace conclusion. But they would start to move out 
gradually at the signing of the peace with Roumania. 
Mr. Marghiloman hopes that he will be able to rush the 
removal of the German troops in case no violent mani- 
festations against them take place. 

Dobrudja will be definitely acquired by Bulgaria at 



194 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

the general peace, with the exception of the city and 
part of Constanza, and the railroad from Constanza to 
Cernavoda, which would remain international. 

Mr. Marghiloman realizes that the peace will bring 
enormous economic advantages to Germany. The terms 
give rectifications of borders to Hungary and nothing 
to Austria, and considerable advantages to Bulgaria. 
He thinks that the peace conditions could not be very 
much bettered after the mistakes made by the previous 
cabinet. He seems to believe that the general peace 
will come after a series of separate peace treaties, and 
that each country will be too much occupied with its 
own interests to interfere in favor of Roumania. 

We have again asked information from Mr. Marghilo- 
man as regards the sending back to their countries of 
the Allied military missions that remained in Roumania. 
He has renewed his promise that he will do everything 
possible to settle this matter on the basis of the previous 
statements. 




Diplomats at the Funeral of King Carol of Roumania 




Roumanian Cottage 



CHAPTER XXI 

UNION OF BESSARABIA AND ROUMANIA — UKRAINIA 
BEING GERMANIZED 

{April 8, 1918) 

THE union of Bessarabia and Roumania seems to 
be approaching. The Prime Minister left yester- 
day for Kishenev in order to hasten it. We have not 
interfered with the negotiations to this effect. If the 
event is accomplished, it will be necessary to publish 
the sympathy of the Allies to this effect, because we will 
be entitled to the credit which undoubtedly will be 
claimed by the Austro-Germans. 

Our attention has been called to the Roumanian 
agents in France. They are receiving no compensation 
from their government, and are obliged to live on their 
own resources, which for the majority of them are 
insufficient. It will be necessary to arrange what can 
be done for them, taking into consideration the sacri- 
fices of Roumania for the cause of the Allies. 

{April 9.) In order to avoid giving the Germans 
a pretext to take away our wireless station, it will be 
necessary to reproduce as private information news 
received from Bucharest by way of Switzerland, or 
from Vienna or Berlin, also, after a certain delay, all 
information contained in our telegrams and used for 
propaganda. 

We wrote the Prime Minister today as follows: 

"According to a communication received by the 
administration of the wireless station, by reason of 
congestion this service cannot be used by the Foreign 
Legations until Tuesday next. 

195 



196 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

**Also we note that the German government has 
requested the Roumanian government to suppress the 
service of code telegrams forwarded by the legations. 

"We do not doubt, in case this information should 
be confirmed, that your Excellency will continue to insure 
the free use of this service, which is the only means for 
the foreign representatives of communication with their 
countries." 

{April 10.) The union of Bessarabia and Roumania 
was proclaimed yesterday at Kishenev by the Bessara- 
bian Assembly, under conditions of a liberal autonomy. 

As it is understood from a recent speech of Czernin, 
the Central Powers have declared that they are not 
against this union. We confirm that, in order to prevent 
them from getting the credit for this event, we shall 
receive it with sympathy, the more as this application 
of the nationalist principle, approved by a free assembly, 
seems to be in conformity with the program of the 
Entente. 

The events also seem to be in conformity with our 
interests, Bessarabia being too weak to guarantee its 
independence by its own means, and being cut off from 
Russia, having no other alternative but to join Roumania 
or Ukrainia, which voluntarily became a German colony. 

Through their projects regarding the traffic in cereals, 
and their control of the railroads and navigation on the 
river Danube, the Central Powers are entirely the masters 
in Roumania. As regards the means of communication, 
it has been indicated that they will have to follow the 
Austro-German system of railroads and rivers. Rou- 
mania must agree from now on that she will establish 
the necessary roads to lengthen not only railroads exist- 
ing on the other side of the borders, but those that will 



UNION OF BESSARABIA AND ROUMANIA 197 

be constructed during a certain period. The tariffs will 
be uniform and cannot bring any protection to the com- 
merce or national liberty. 

The European commission of the Danube River 
will be replaced for the full actual rights, by a com- 
mission representing only the countries through which 
the river passes. Roumania will have to grant to Ger- 
man and Austro-Hungarian shipping concerns all the 
necessary territory for the installation of their agencies, 
warehouses, etc. In the Danubian ports, the installa- 
tion effected by Germany during the war will be granted 
for a period of fifty years. 

Under the pretense of equality, the Central Powers 
are completely mastering the commercial resources of 
Roumania. 

A Hungarian commissioner has the right of perma- 
nent inspection of the Roumanian railroads, and therefore 
he can examine at any time into the whole administration. 

The compact relative to agricultural products of all 
kinds states that the surplus over local consumption 
must be sold to the Central Powers for a period of five 
years after the general peace treaty. The quantities to 
be considered as surplus will be determined the first 
year by the Austro-Germans, after consultation with 
the Roumanian government, and for the following years 
by the Roumanian government in collaboration with 
Austro-German representatives. 

This will mean the rationing of Roumania by the 
Central Powers to their benefit after the peace, and an 
unlimited war indemnity. 

{April 12.) I had a long interview with the Prime 
Minister, Mr. Marghiloman, and during our conversa- 
tion he repeated that he believed in the victory of the 



198 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Central Powers, and that whatever may be done for 
Roumania will be done by the Central Powers. 

I argued with him for an hour, telling him that our 
country went to war for the sake of humanity, and that 
until that purpose was achieved we would stay in the 
fray. We would spare no efforts to hasten this victory 
by sending troops to the Western front, and if necessary, 
to Russia, and we would stay in the war until we were 
victorious. The Germans might win one, two, five or 
ten battles, but the end would be the same, they would lose 
the war, and the Allies would see to it that the supplies 
for the German army from Russia were stopped. 

{April 13.) According to information regarding the 
situation in Ukrainia, it is as follows: 

(1) Ukrainia has been completely cut off from any 
communication with Russia. 

(2) Ukrainian officers are gradually being replaced 
by Austro-Germans. 

(3) German and Austrian currency must be accepted. 

(4) An order has been issued that any Entente officer 
who might eventually be in Ukrainia be arrested. To 
our knowledge, all our officers have left Ukrainia. 

(5) The houses of the consuls in Odessa have been 
examined in order to lodge Austro-German officers there. 

(6) There are rumors that the German government 
intends to suppress the Rada of Kiev and establish a 
German government in its place. 

It can be stated that Ukrainia is being transformed 
into a German colony. 

{April 14.) We are advised from a good source 
that Mr. Marghiloman is more and more convinced of 
the victory of the Central Powers. Having faith, no 
doubt, in information from German sources, he expresses 



UNION OF BESSARABIA AND ROUMANIA 199 

his opinion that the last events on the Western front 
prove the weakness of the Entente, and that they will 
not be able to resist the Central Powers, even before 
using the natural resources of Russia. 

Mr. Marghiloman adds that Roumania will have 
nothing to expect from the Allies, notwithstanding the 
enormous sacrifices that she has had to bear for her 
participation. He bases his statement on information 
received in Bucharest, according to which the United 
States would have made an agreement with Austro- 
Hungary to let them act as the^^ wished in the Balkans. 

In regard to the strictly confidential character of 
this information, it should not be referred to in tele- 
grams for the press. But it will be of great advantage 
to get a statement from the United States government 
denying the negotiations with Austro-Hungary, and 
especially any agreement concerning the Balkans. This 
statement should immediately be extensively published. 
It would be more efficient if the other Allies would join. 
It must be observed that any wires giving the military 
situation should be written in such way as to reestablish 
faith in the victory of the Entente. 

{April 15.) According to authorized information 
from Bucharest, confirmed from all sides, the trouble 
between the different nationalities of Austro-Hungary, 
and especially between the Austrians and Hungarians, 
becomes worse each day. In regard to an Austrian 
offensive on the Italian front, and a participation of 
the Austro-Hungarian troops in the German offensive 
in France, we think it advisable to take advantage of 
this state of mind. We think that the agents of those 
different nationalities will succeed in disbanding the 
recruited tmits. 



200 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

{April 17.) The Minister of Foreign Affairs has 
notified us, in writing, of the union of Bessarabia with 
Roumania. A simple acknowledgment could only have 
made an unfavorable impression, and we have preferred 
to await instructions from our governments to decide 
the way in which to reply. As we have already explained, 
the union of Bessarabia proclaimed by representatives 
of the population is in conformity with the principles 
and interests of the Entente, so far as it will not lead 
Roumania to interfere further with Southern Russia. 
We must avoid furnishing the Austro-Germans with a 
pretext to get the full credit for this event through a 
reserved attitude on our part. 

It is up to our governments to appreciate how far 
it will be necessary to keep up connections with Russia. 
We think that if they have no reasons for objection, it 
will be advisable to authorize us to state orally that 
the Entente looks with sympathy on an event in conform- 
ity with the principle of nationalism, and the rights of 
the people to choose for themselves. We would of course 
give the Roumanian government to understand that any 
previous stipulations will be revised at the Peace Con- 
ference by our governments, and as regards Bessarabia, 
they will take into consideration the attitude of Rou- 
mania from now on until that time. We all four ministers 
were personally in favor of this union. 

{April 23.) We have received the following tele- 
gram from Mr. Marghiloman as an answer to the let- 
ter of our colleague, Sir George Barclay, the English 
Minister: 

"I have the honor to reply to your note which your 
Excellency has sent me last night in his name and the 
names of Messrs. Vopicka, de Saint Aulaire and Baron 



UNION OF BESSARABIA AND ROUMANIA 201 

Fasciotti. The new circumstances created by our peace 
treaty and our desire to observe a scrupulous neutrality 
makes it our duty to accept plain telegrams only for 
transmission. The Legations will be assured of com- 
munication with their governments under these con- 
ditions, as I am sure that the Legations do not want in 
any way to forward military news regarding the states 
with which their countries continue to be in state of war." 

The following is a copy of a letter sent to the Prime 
Minister on the 24th of April: 

"We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your 
wire of the 23d inst., in answer to our note of the 22d 
relative to the use of the wireless station. 

'*As regards the question of principle, we beg to 
confirm the contents of our previous communication. 

** However, we recognize that the Roumanian govern- 
ment is in an abnormal situation as a result of this fact, 
but we express the wish that it will spare no efforts to 
prevent the situation affecting the fundamental rights of 
all independent states." 

During the time that we were unable to send cipher 
telegrams, we were obliged to send our messages the 
best way we could, either by airplanes, by couriers or 
otherwise. In one case we were ** double crossed" by 
a Russian pilot, who received a big amount of money 
for his trip from Jassy to Salonika, and after he had 
received the mail, instead of going to Salonika, he went 
straight to Bucharest, where he gave all our mail to 
the Germans. 

In this mail there was a letter for Mr. G. Seidel, 
manager of the Standard Oil Co., in Roumania, in which 
one of his men in Jassy informed him of the petroleum 



»l 



202 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

business in Jassy and Moldavia. He was immediately 
arrested and brought before the military court. 

When I was informed about this affair the next day, 
I immediately went to the Prime Minister, asking him 
to intercede in favor of Mr. Seidel, and if possible have 
him set free, as I knew he was not guilty of any act 
charged against him by the Germans. Mr. Marghiloman 
kindly promised me to do so, and to this action of mine, 
and the employment of an able Germanophile lawyer, 
who was paid royally, Mr. Seidel is indebted for his 
discharge and liberty. 




Prince B. Stirbey 



CHAPTER XXII 

NEW GERMAN DEMANDS ON ROUMANIA 

(April 24, 1918) 

ACCORDING to information, the Germans try to 
create trouble in Walachia and Moldavia in order 
to maintain and enlarge their occupied territory. They 
even intend to abolish the crown, and the German 
military authorities talk clearly in this respect. They 
also officially distribute to the population of the occupied 
territory, and to the demobilized soldiers who return 
home, violent pamphlets against the king and the 
politicians responsible for the war. This is an evident 
attempt to start a revolution in Roumania in order to 
strengthen German hold on that country. To avoid 
revealing the official source of this information, it would 
be advisable to have it first published in the press of 
neutral states, Switzerland especially, and from this 
the Allied wires would emanate. 

{April 25.) Ukrainia will probably appoint a pleni- 
potentiary minister to Roumania. We intend to sustain 
only personal relations with him, and to state that the 
question of recognition of Ukrainia is beyond our author- 
ity, and can only be settled by our governments. 

The Germans request that the use of the wireless 
station for code telegrams be discontinued, not only 
for the Allied legations, but also for the neutral legations 
and the Roumanian government. Such a request shows 
the desire they have to hide the violence and the exploita- 
tions in Roumania, which are without precedent even 
in the African colonies. 

203 



204 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Among the new demands of the Germans, the follow- 
ing can be stated: 

(1) A project of monopoly for the exploitation of 
large properties, which would reduce the Roumanian 
population to complete slavery for the benefit of Ger- 
man capitaUsts. 

(2) The absorbing of the total agricultural produc- 
tion without taking the local needs into consideration, 
unless to extend the system of requisitions to Moldavia 
and Bessarabia, as done in Walachia, where this system 
will continue to prevail after the peace. These exports 
will be paid for by the Roumanian government for the 
account of the Central Powers, who will reimburse 
Roumania when they think fit to do so. 

(3) Monopoly for the exploitation of the ports, rivers, 
shipping concerns, etc., in favor of the Central Powers. 

(4) Control of the railroads, post, telegraphs and 
telephones, also in Moldavia and Bessarabia, contrary 
to the previous assurances given. 

(5) Forced recruiting of Roumanian laborers to be 
used by the Central Powers. This clause is disguised 
deportation. 

(6) The Roumanian government will be responsible 
for all damages caused through the occupation, includ- 
ing the requisitions made from the civil population 
through the Central Powers, and the exchange of the 
paper money issued by the Central Powers, amounting 
to over three milliards of lei. And the Germans demand 
that the treaty shall mention that they impose neither 
indemnities nor taxes. 

(7) The Roumanian prisoners will only be released 
gradually against payment of money or wheat. 

(8) The prosecution or deportation of all Ententophile 
politicians. 



NEW GERMAN DEMANDS ON ROUMANIA 205 

(9) The retirement of all officers who have distin- 
guished themselves in the present war. 

The German press of Bucharest advocates quite 
clearly that all politicians favoring the Entente should 
be murdered. From this information an opinion can 
be formed regarding the character of the first peace 
which the Central Powers are imposing. Even in un- 
occupied territory, the press, in the pay of the Germans, 
starts an injurious campaign against the Allies, with the 
tolerance of a censor, who on the other hand is without 
mercy as regards the attacks directed against the Central 
Powers. 

{May 5.) According to some information, the Ger- 
mans are trying to obtain authority from the Roumanian 
government to negotiate with the Russian authorities 
the return of the Roumanian funds in Moscow. The 
best way to counteract this maneuver would be, if the 
relations of the Allies with the Russian authorities in 
Moscow permit, to arrange with them that this money 
be transferred to a safe place, and sufficiently far 
away. 

The transfer of the funds can be justified for reasons 
of security, and can be represented to the Roumanian 
government as an amicable proceeding. This action 
would have a double advantage, to deprive the Germans 
of the money, and to give us a valuable deposit. It 
would also increase the authority of the Allies here in 
showing that they are capable of action in Russia. 

{May 9.) We requested this telegram sent to our 
consuls general at Moscow: 

"The peace has been signed on the 7th day of this 
month. The press publishes the text of the treaty, 
which will no doubt be sent on by wire. The Parlia- 



206 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

ment has been dissolved and the new one is to have a 
meeting on the 17th of June." 

{May 15.) The Allied ministers, having instruc- 
tions, addressed the following note to the Roumanian 
government: 

"As per order of our governments, we have the 
honor to protest to the Roumanian government the 
prohibition on our forwarding code telegrams. 

"Through his telegram dated from Bucharest the 23d 
of April, his Excellency the Prime Minister has informed 
the Minister of Great Britain that the action he took 
was on account of the desire to observe the strictest 
neutrality. 

"The Allied governments cannot accept this view, 
and have instructed their representatives in Jassy to 
inform the Roumanian government to this effect. 

"In fact the prohibition to forward cipher telegrams 
can only prejudice the Entente Powers, the represen- 
tatives of the countries with which they are at war 
having every facility for communicating with their gov- 
ernments. The Roumanian government in this way, 
far from keeping its neutrality, goes beyond it in favor 
of one of the belligerent parties. 

"During the war the question of code telegrams has 
been raised twice, in the United States and in Spain. 
In those two countries the representatives of the Central 
Powers were in a similar situation as the Allied missions 
in Roumania, i. e., that they could only communicate 
with their countries by means of wireless. 

"In order to keep their neutrality and to respect 
the rights of the diplomatic missions of foreign coun- 
tries, the governments of Washington and Madrid have 
always authorized their telegraph stations to forward 




Take Jonescu 



NEW GERMAN DEMANDS ON ROUMANIA 207 

code telegrams which were entrusted to their care. It 
was a fact though that in Spain the principal object 
of the German telegrams was to give information of the 
movements of the trading vessels of belligerent or 
neutral countries to their submarines, which vessels 
were sunk without distinction. 

"The Roumanian government cannot lose sight of 
Article VIII of the Convention of the Hague (1907) 
which does not oblige neutral countries to prohibit the 
use of the wireless stations in their territory to a belli- 
gerent party. 

"The principles of justice, and the conventional 
right, make it a duty for the Roumanian government 
to revise this decision, on the subject of which we have 
expressed our reservations by our letter of the 24th 
of April, and in consequence of which we have been 
instructed to formulate the most formal protest.'* 

(May 16.) To complete the information already 
transmitted, we mention among the conditions of the 
Roumanian peace those that show better the monstrous 
hypocrisy and the voracity of German imperialism. 

The Germans have demanded that in the peace 
treaty it should appear that there are no annexations 
or indemnities. As regards the annexations, the dis- 
posing of Dobrudja and the rectifications of the border 
all along the Carpathian Mountains will mean about 
26,000 square kilometers and 800,000 inhabitants, or 
a loss to Roumania of about one-tenth of the total 
population. 

The reasons given, justifying these rectifications, 
are unacceptable. In fact, the Central Powers are 
victorious, and Roumania, becoming a German colony, 
cannot be a danger to them. However, they cannot 

14 



208 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

forget that the victory of the Entente will return Rou- 
mania its old borders. The truth is that these rectifi- 
cations comprise the richest forest of the Carpathians, 
and will extend the Hungarian hunting territories; it 
will also enable them to get hold of the wood, the wealth 
of the Forestry Societies, in which the Germans and 
Austro-Hungarians are very much interested. It would 
be interesting to reveal this aim in the Socialist circles 
of Germany and Austro-Hungary. 

The Germans claim that these rectifications com- 
prise only naked districts. But in this way they take 
170 villages with a population of over 130,000 inhabit- 
ants. This part of the population represents the purest 
Roumanian race, those who have sought refuge in the 
highest mountains during the successive invasions and 
the Turkish domination. 

As regards the indemnities, the Germans state that 
this expression only applies to the war expenses and the 
money due to the families of the victims of the war. 
They refuse to consider as indemnity the different taxes 
imposed on Roumania, of which the total is about four 
milliards of lei. 

This figure has of course been fixed arbitrarily, 
without taking into consideration the ancient war right. 
Germany especially requires considerable sums for the 
keeping of the Roumanian prisoners, half of whom 
have died of hunger and bad treatment. The Rou- 
manian government will also have to pay the requisi- 
tions made not only for the requirements of the occupa- 
tion troops, but also for the requirements of the civil 
population of the Central Empires. They will also 
have to reimburse the issues of paper money made or 
to be made, as long as the occupation lasts, without 
any limit being fixed. 



NEW GERMAN DEMANDS ON ROUMANIA 209 

The conditions of monopoly in favor of Germany 
for the exploitation and sale of petroleum, also the export 
of cereals, represent another unlimited war indemnity. 
For cereals only for the present year, they consider that 
this indemnity will amount to one milliard lei, this 
being the difference between the real value and the 
price fixed by Germany. 

It is not to be overlooked that the Austro- Germans 
will have the right to determine the quantity to be 
exported, that this quantity will be determined not 
according to the amount of the crop, but according to 
the needs of the Central Powers. This clause permits 
that after the peace they can impose rations on Rou- 
mania to the extent of famine. In fact, the cost of the 
exported cereals will be advanced by the Roumanian 
government, for which the Central Powers will open 
an account current, which they will settle or not, accord- 
ing to their pleasure. 

The treaty states a delay for the approval of the 
peace by the Roumanian government, but this does 
not concern the question of rectifications. The dullness 
of one of the interested governments will suffice to make 
the advantages of the Austro-Germans in the present 
circumstances last indefinitely. We can also mention 
that the peace of Bucharest has not yet been ratified 
by the Bulgarian government. 

The ratification by the Roumanian government will 
have no legal basis. In fact, this government has been 
formed under the German bayonet, without the help 
of the two great historical parties, and without the 
participation of the soldiers, who have not had time to 
return to their homes. The choice of the candidates 
has been submitted to the Germans, notwithstanding 



210 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

the guaranties of the Prime Minister that no Entento- 
phile parties will take part in the elections. 

Far from partially freeing Roumania, the peace will 
end in slavery and ruin. Six enemy divisions will con- 
tinue to occupy her territory, even after the ratifica- 
tion, which the Germans can delay as long as they wish. 
The railroads, the navigation on the rivers, the post 
and telegraph remain in the hands of the Germans. A 
German delegate is placed in each Ministry, "at the 
request of the Roumanian government," according to 
the style imposed by Germany. Roumania will only 
keep police powers. The war material and the ammu- 
nition are placed in depots situated in the occupied 
territory under the guard of the German staff. 

The Germans have created a German company for 
agricultural exploitations, with a capital of eighty 
millions. This society, by means of disguised expro- 
priation under the form of leasing for a long term, 
recognized by the peace treaty and in favor of the 
occupation, tries to get a monopoly of agricultural 
products of Roumania. This is another speculation of 
the Austro-German capitalists that should be revealed 
to the Social Democracy. 

Orders issued by the German military authorities 
before the signature of the peace treaty force the popu- 
lation of the occupied territory, between the ages of 
fourteen and sixty, to work as ordered by the German 
authorities. Disobedience of these orders will be fol- 
lowed by deportation, imprisonment from one to five 
years, and in certain unspecified cases, death. 

Summing up, the treaty imposed on Roumania is 
the most shameless contradiction of all German state- 
ments. It means the disguised annexation of the 




NiCU FiLIPESCU 



NEW GERMAN DEMANDS ON ROUMANIA 211 

whole country, the robbery of the public and private 
property, and after the peace, the most conscienceless 
exploitation. They make a prison of Roumania, where 
all the people are condemned to hard labor for the 
profit of the enemy. 

This instance of a German peace deserves to be 
considered the more as the German delegates, to the 
astonishment of the Roumanian delegates, have stated 
that these conditions are very moderate compared with 
those intended for the treaty to be imposed on France, 
England and Italy after the victory of the Central Powers. 

(May 16.) The following letter is addressed to 
the Minister of Foreign Affairs by the four Allied 
ministers: 

"The Entente governments have learned that the 
treaty signed in Bucharest on the 7th of this month, 
between Roumania and the Central Powers, contains 
clauses contrary to the provisions of the international 
agreements which they have signed. 

"The treaty of Bucharest mentions, in fact, that the 
river Danube, starting from Braila, will be placed under 
a new commission that will only represent states through 
which the river passes, or on the coasts of the Black 
Sea. The establishment of this new commission, the 
same as any alterations of the European Commission 
of the Danube, without the participation of the signers 
of the prevailing agreements, is a violation of these 
covenants. 

"Article II of the treaty of London, on the 10th of 
March, 1883, determined the proceeding for the modi- 
fication of the rules of the Commission. 

"Article XV of the treaty of Paris of March, 1856, 
established that the principles of the Act of the Congress 



212 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

of Vienna, designed to govern the navigation of the rivers 
crossing or separating several countries, would in future 
also apply to the river Danube and its mouths. 

"The provisions of the treaty of Bucharest are 
contrary to the conditions which rule the river Danube, 
as they modify, and the modifications do not take any 
account of the rules specially arranged to this effect. 

"In these circumstances, the Ministers of France, 
Great Britain and Italy have the honor, by order of their 
governments, to bring to the knowledge of the Rou- 
manian government the fact that the countries they 
represent consider as non-existing any arrangement 
made in regard to the Danube without their approval. 
This question can only be settled at the general peace, 
and after agreement between all countries interested. 

"They also make their reservations as regards the 
consequences of the provisional rulings that will be 
applied until then." 

{May 17.) Another letter was sent to the Minister 
of Foreign Affairs as follows: 

"We have the honor to confirm our letter of the 6th 
of May as regards the Russian war material, also our 
previous communications, of which you will find copy 
enclosed. 

"As regards the Roumanian war material, we refer 
to the assurances which have been given by the present 
government, as well as by the previous governments, 
according to which none of this material will be given 
to the enemy. 

"In presence of the provisions of this treaty to this 
effect, we insist that the Roumanian government take 
the necessary steps to insure the strict execution of 
these agreements." 



NEW GERMAN DEMANDS ON ROUMANIA 213 

(May 20.) According to information from the occu- 
pied territory, these regions have been exploited by the 
Germans with more savagery than ever, since the signa- 
ture of the peace treaty. They have organized system- 
atic robbery, and anything that can be used is being 
taken and sold, from foods and industrial installations 
to clothing and fancy goods. They take the last pro- 
visions from the peasants, including the maize, which, 
since the German occupation, has replaced the wheat. 
The famine produces very serious epidemics. Where 
the Germans expect resistance of the enraged population, 
they surround the village with machine guns and com- 
pel them to deliver their foods under threats of general 
massacre. 

In Ukrainia and Poland, the Germans even remove 
the rich soil, sending away many trains loaded with 
black earth, destined to create culture lands in the sandy 
districts along the borders. 

{May 21.) According to the Roumanian delegates 
in Bucharest, the German circles are very pessimistic. 
They fear the failure of the next offensive at the Western 
front. They consider that even if they succeed and 
the German troops reach the sea, the establishment of 
a base against England would require too long a delay 
in regard to the interior situation in the Central Em- 
pires, where there is general discontent, a desire for 
peace, and insufficient food, which will not permit con- 
tinuing the war for more than a few months. 

The friction is getting worse between the Germans 
and Austro-Hungarians on one side, and the Turks and 
Bulgarians on the other. Mr. Marghiloman himself 
recognizes these difficulties, but states that the unity 
of direction in Germany will continue to prevail, and 



214 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

that he has faith in the victory of the Central Powers. 

Following is the context of the letter from the Rou- 
manian Minister of Foreign Affairs, in reply to our 
protests regarding the signing of the peace treaty by 
Roumania: 

"In answer to your letter sent me on the 14th of 
May, I have the honor to make the following state- 
ment: 

"Notwithstanding the generosity of principles which 
the Allied Powers have often shown during the World 
War, this has not prevented the ruin of Roumania, left 
to her own resources in an unfortunate war, notwith- 
standing her resistance, her numerous sacrifices and the 
courage of her soldiers. 

"At the end of her strength, threatened in her exist- 
ence even, the peace imposed by the Central Powers on 
Roumania was the only means of salvation, and an 
imperative duty; the Royal government must thus 
consider this peace as legal in all points, and in conse- 
quence must feel bound by it." 

(May 23.) We have sent the following letter: 

"Through our communication of March 16, we have 
requested His Excellency the Prime Minister to appoint 
a Roumanian representative for the mixed commission 
for the Russian material, and to let us know the date 
on which this commission will start functioning. Hav- 
ing received no reply to this communication, we have 
the honor to ask you to let us know whether we must 
consider as definitely abandoned the principle admitted 
by General Janconvescu for the creation of an Inter- 
national commission in charge of the material which 
the Russian army left behind. 

"If this principle is maintained, we request that its 




Pavilion at the Race Track in Bucharest 




The Pavilion of the Queen, in Constanza, Roumania 



NEW GERMAN DEMANDS ON ROUMANIA 215 

realization be no longer deferred, as each day that goes 
by will render the task for the International commission 
more difficult. 

"We add that, in regard to the new conditions in 
Bessarabia, we consider it necessary to take the same 
precautions for the Russian material in this territory 
as for the material in Roumania. 

" It is our duty to call the attention of the Roumanian 
government to the responsibility that will be created by 
each new delay in the functioning of the commission, 
the principle of which has been admitted. 

"In any case, we renew our reservations as regards 
the rights of the Allies in the said material." 

(May 24.) Letter from the four Allied ministers: 

"We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of the 
letter which you have addressed to us, dated the 4th 
of May, to inform us of the view of the present Cabinet 
regarding the question of the Russian war material in 
Roumania and Bessarabia. 

"We hasten to bring this communication to the 
knowledge of our governments, but it is our duty to 
state that from now on we consider the Roumanian 
government bound by agreement of the previous Cabinets 
to this effect. 

"Regarding the Roumanian war material in Russia, 
we of course, from our side, will maintain our previous 
statements regarding the rights of Roumania in this 
material, as it results from paragraph three of our letter 
of the 16th of March to General Averescu. We have 
the honor to communicate to you a copy of this docu- 
ment, of which you seem to have no knowledge. 

"Also confirming our reservations contained in our 
letter of the 23d of April and 6th of May, we beg to 



216 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

state that any verification and appraisement effected 
without us, and contrary to the agreement already 
accepted by the Roumanian government, will not be 
recognized by us." 



CHAPTER XXIII 

ROUMANIAN ELECTIONS CONTROLLED BY GERMANS — 
INTRIGUE AGAINST CROWN 

{May 27, 1918) 

IT is necessary for the Entente to know the exact 
value of the elections imposed by the Germans, in 
view of the ratification of the peace treaty. 

We recall that these elections have been effected 
under the threat of German bayonets, that the impor- 
tant parties took no part in them, and that the list of 
candidates formally agreed upon by Mr. Marghiloman 
has been reduced by the German authorities. The 
government has had considerable difficulty in getting 
the necessary number of candidates together, who, in 
nearly all cases, had no opposition. Notwithstanding 
the efforts of the German authorities, with the aid of 
the Marghiloman cabinet, to suppress any expression 
of national feeling, the people both in Moldavia and the 
occupied territory take advantage of every opportunity 
to show their indignation at the peace conditions, and 
their hope of approaching reparation due to the final 
triumph of the Allies. 

We urge the necessity of considering what our press 
states regarding the events in Roumania, between a 
cabinet guided by the Germans and the Roumanian 
people, whose aspirations have become closer to those 
of the Entente on account of the terrible conditions of 
the peace, and the union with Bessarabia, which aspira- 
tions are directed towards Transylvania. 

It is to be noted that the two great parties who 
wanted war, and who represent the two organized parties 

217 



218 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

of the country, the Liberals and the Conservatives, 
have remained true to the Entente under the direction of 
their leaders, Jean Bratiano and Take Jonescu. 

In the present circumstances, it is preferable to 
forget the mistakes, perhaps unavoidable, that have 
been made during the difficulties, and which have found 
their punishment in the conditions of the peace itself. 
The only thing that counts is that we keep in view our 
interests, also a full appreciation of the enormous sacri- 
fices of Roumania, and to keep up a certain spirit that 
will bring the whole nation to the side of the Entente 
as soon as circumstances will permit. It will thus be 
necessary to grant to the parties in favor of the Entente 
great moral support in our press, and also a material 
support. 

As regards this last point, it will be advisable to 
establish business relations between independent Rou- 
manian concerns, which are nearly all run by the Liberal 
party, and the financial and industrial circles of the 
Entente. To this effect, we think that it will be neces- 
sary to use the aid and knowledge of the Roumanians 
who are at present in Paris and London. This aid can 
be manifested in the form of different missions and in 
the administration. This would from now on have the 
advantage of giving those in favor of our cause the 
impression that we are not abandoning them, and that we 
are certain of the future. 

{June 3.) Mr. Marghiloman has recently uttered a 
speech on the occasion of the starting of the electoral 
campaign, as follows: 

"The new Parliament's first duty will be to ratify the 
peace, then to establish the responsibilities as regards 
the declaration of war and its conduct, also the real 





Roumanian Street Peddlers 



ELECTIONS CONTROLLED BY GERMANS 219 

use of the money it has cost. The adventurous policies 
of Bratiano have led to war. He wanted this war, 
only awaiting a favorable opportunity to attack our 
former Allies. We have been defeated. We must under- 
stand the ill feeling of the victorious in order to appre- 
ciate the work of the Roumanian negotiators. Impartial 
history will bless those men who have had the courage 
to sign this peace, which is not a disadvantage in all 
points. Through it a whole nation has been returned 
to its mother country, as it is with the cooperation of 
the Austro-Germans that Bessarabia has been ac- 
quired. 

"Some people expected that after the signing of the 
peace they would see all the pre-war liberties reestab- 
lished. Let us remember the fate of Holland and 
Switzerland before we complain." 

Mr. Marghiloman then talked about reforms. The 
alteration in agriculture must harmonize with the inter- 
ests of the different classes and increase production. 
He also implied permanent censorship of the press. 
These declarations of the Prime Minister are in conform- 
ity with the policies of the Central Powers. The actual 
conditions can only become worse until the general 
peace or the defeat of the Central Powers. 

According to reliable information, there are two 
clauses in the peace treaty not yet made known. The 
first involves the entrance of Roumania in the ZoUverein 
of the Central Powers, and the second requires that all 
legations, or at least their military attaches, receive 
their passports immediately after ratification of the peace 
by the Roumanian parliament. This would strengthen 
certain points in the peace conditions which would make 
Roimiania practically a German colony. 



220 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

A Roumanian diplomat, who is in sympathy with 
the Entente, advises us that the Germans require that 
the Roumanian government shall not appoint its min- 
isters to Paris, London and Washington, before estab- 
lishing their legations in the Central Powers, but 
on the other hand they refuse to receive Roumanian 
representatives in Berlin and Vienna, stating that their 
presence can only create difficulties, and that the pres- 
ence of von Mackensen in Bucharest will do for the 
time being. Finally, as the Germans are always intrigu- 
ing against the Crown, they insist, in disregard of the 
rules of the constitution, that the command of the army 
be taken away from the king and given to a committee 
of generals, with the approval of the Central Powers. 
The occupation of Roumania is no doubt a safeguard 
against Bolshevism, and the Germans also see there an 
opportunity to exploit this rich country. They try to 
create trouble in Roumania by favoring the establish- 
ment of the Austrians in the north of Bessarabia and of 
the Bulgarians in the south. 

We understand that the blockade at Kiev by the 
Germans is becoming more effective each day. Docu- 
ments originating in a pro-Ally group have been sold by 
a Russian officer to the German staff, and numerous 
arrests have resulted. These include the Greek and 
Spanish consuls, who represented the interests of France. 

All the government candidates for the Senate have 
been elected. General Averescu has been elected as an 
independent candidate without any opposition from the 
government. Only about one-third of those inscribed 
have taken part in the election, and only two candidates 
have had an absolute majority. This gives an idea of 
the strength of the pro-Entente party. 



ELECTIONS CONTROLLED BY GERMANS 221 

Under German pressure, the Cabinet has issued a 
decree making agricultural work compulsory throughout 
Roumania for a period of five years. This applies to 
all persons of both sexes, from fourteen to sixty years 
of age, and has been imposed by the Germans to insure 
agricultural production, as the prices they have fixed 
are so low the lands would not be cultivated except under 
compulsion. This measure has caused great discontent 
which is increased by the attitude of the Cabinet against 
the general right of voting. 

The German policy is designed to make slaves of 
the Roumanian people after the conclusion of peace. 
It includes the transfer of individuals from one part of 
the country to another, according to needs. This will 
be the worst form of slavery, depriving people of their 
homes and dividing families. 

At the inauguration of the new parliament, none of 
the representatives of the Allies were present. The 
king had been informed of our intention to absent our- 
selves, and fully understanding our good reasons, he 
gave instructions that no invitations should be sent. 
Therefore, for the first time, the ceremony took place 
without the presence of the representatives of foreign 
or neutral countries. The king's address was undoubt- 
edly prepared by Mr. Marghiloman and the German 
authorities, and in many respects was far from being a 
true expression of the real sentiment. This was illus- 
trated by the alteration of a paragraph which originally 
read: "The manner in which the countries with whom 
we have made peace have considered this event, has 
prepared the way for the reestablishment of our friend- 
ship as in the past." In the king's speech, the word 
"relations" was substituted for ** friendship." 



222 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

{June 21.) The new parliament does not in any 
way represent the country. In the first place, the elec- 
tions were illegal. Mr. Marghiloman admitted that the 
opposition could not conduct a free campaign in the 
occupied territory, which comprises two-thirds of the 
whole territory. Only 40 per cent of the legal voters 
cast their votes, whereas 70 per cent voted in 1914. 
In this parliament, the opposition party comprises only 
some half-dozen senators and deputies. In the majority 
are included four men formerly condemned to death for 
desertion to the enemy, and one man charged with wil- 
ful murder. The election of these five has been pro- 
tested by forty-five deputies, but the Germans have 
ordered that they be accepted. 

{June 23.) Owing to the dry weather both in 
Bessarabia and in Roumania, it is estimated that the 
total production of wheat, maize, sugar, lards, etc., 
will be less than 50 per cent of the quantity actually 
needed for local consumption. It is apparent that 
present stocks of provisions will be used up before the 
new crop arrives. We have telegraphed to our govern- 
ments of these conditions, urging steps for relief not only 
for humanity's sake, but also the deep and lasting 
gratitude to the Entente which will be created by such 
action. We have advised that all supplies be under 
the control of a neutral country, and that care must be 
taken that none be appropriated for the German army. 

{July 1.) The peace treaty has been approved by 
the Chamber of Deputies by 135 out of 179 votes. On 
this occasion, General Averescu made the statement 
that the ties still remain between Roumania and the 
Entente. There is much bad feeling between the Bessa- 
rabian and Roumanian troops, the latter being forced. 




Fortress in Brassov, Transylvania 




Bridge over Danube River at Cerna Voda, Roumania, 
Destroyed by the German Army 



ELECTIONS CONTROLLED BY GERMANS 223 

in conformity with the treaty of Bucharest, to make 
requisitions for the Germans. 

(July 5.) The peace treaty has been approved by 
the Senate, and the king has given orders to maintain 
strict neutrahty. 

(July 8.) The Senate and the Chambers have made 
their answers to the address of the king. That of the 
Senate mentions that the peace of Bucharest will permit 
reestablishment of old relations with the Central Powers, 
while that of the Chambers does not make any allusion 
to their future relations. In his reply, the king has 
stated that their neutrality will permit them to enter- 
tain their peace relations, and also friendly relations with 
all the countries. 

(July 16.) Notwithstanding the ratification of peace, 
the Germans continue to make demands, especially in 
financial matters. They seek control of the National 
Bank of Roumania, with the right to appoint the per- 
sonnel of the bank. They demand a credit of three 
milliards at a rate of exchange advantageous to them, 
which would reduce the price of cereals 20 per cent 
more. They require a monopoly for checks and drafts 
for the exterior, and demand that their debts for larger 
exports from Roumania to Central Europe shall be paid 
wholly in merchandise, which they will either furnish 
themselves or supply through an intermediary. 

The statement of the principal agent of the Reichs- 
bank for the purchase of cereals in Ukrainia is that the 
intent of the Central Powers is systematically to depre- 
ciate the value of the money of all countries, in order to 
make the mark the international standard in Central 
Europe and the Orient. The Germans continue to issue 
lei currency in Bucharest, which is to be taken up by 

15 



224 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

the Roumanian government without Hmit, according to 
the peace treaty. This will enable them to acquire the 
stocks of all financial and industrial associations of the 
country. General conditions have become very much 
worse since peace was ratified. The Germans do not 
hesitate to take the last provisions away from the peas- 
ants, and they are shipping to Germany everything 
they can use. All people, regardless of age or sex, 
who incur their displeasure, they condemn, without 
investigation, to five or ten years of imprisonment. 

Ukrainia having been declared a war zone, the only 
Allied consuls are in Odessa, except that those of France 
and Greece have been sent to Moscow. 

{July 18.) Notwithstanding the ratification of peace, 
a state of blockade has been renewed for the entire 
territory of Roumania, without time hmit. 

{July 22.) We have written to the Minister of For- 
eign Affairs, renewing our request for authority to send 
an agent to inspect the Legation buildings in Bucharest, 
as we have been informed that some of them have been 
burglarized. 

{July 23.) We have notified our governments that 
articles very unfavorable to the Entente cause, inspired 
by the Marghiloman cabinet, have been appearing in 
the press. In one of these it was stated that, "It has 
been impossible to get the Enemy communication on 
account of atmospheric troubles." On that same day 
we received communications from Lyons, which appeared 
in the independent Jassy papers. 

{July 24.) The daily ration of bread has been reduced 
from 500 to 250 grams. The Roumanian transportation 
fleet of the Danube is to be put in service between Aker- 
mann and Odessa. The Chamber of Deputies states 



ELECTIONS CONTROLLED BY GERMANS 225 

that a foreign company is purchasing coal mines, and 
fields which may contain coal, in the occupied territory, 
and will make similar purchases in Moldavia and Bessa- 
rabia. There is danger that Roumanian industries will 
be dependent on foreigners for coal, but the Minister 
of Commerce states that the present laws do not allow 
any interference with such purchases. Reserve officers 
and members of the universities have protested against 
the attacks of the Senate on the Crown. 

We are advised that a telegram addressed to our 
governments cannot be dispatched, the Prime Minister 
claiming that it is against the Roumanian government. 
He expresses regret that the "enemy communications" 
article was printed, and assures us there will be no 
repetition. He says that his paper, the "Steagul," being 
issued in Bucharest, is under German censorship, and 
therefore prints only the news supplied by the German 
military authorities. 

We learn that the German authorities of Kiev have 
prohibited the departure of Messrs. Choulguine and 
Galip, whom the Ukrainian government had charged 
with a mission to the Entente countries. Also the 
German authorities protest the incorporating by Ukrain- 
ia of Volynia, Podolia and Odessa. The anti-German 
movement in Ukrainia becomes stronger each day. 

{August 6.) The news of the interference of the 
Allies in Russia has produced the most favorable effect 
in Roumania, where opinion is principally impressed 
by events which affect the local situation. In all quar- 
ters, except the Germanophile circles, which are growing 
smaller each day, it is stated that if this interference 
had been earlier, it would have saved Roumania, or in 
any case, that their army could have been used for the 



226 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

common cause in Russia. At present the Allied efforts 
are being watched with interest. They hope that good 
fortune for the Allies in Bulgaria and in Turkey will 
soon permit free action for Roumania. 

According to information from Ukrainia, the anti- 
German movement and the general strike on the rail- 
roads, which affects the transportation of foods for the 
Germans, are strongly encouraged by the Inter-Allied 
action in Russia, and by the success of the Czecho- 
slovaks. We wish that the Allied efforts in Russia may 
be accelerated and strengthened as much as possible. 

(August 8.) The report of the investigating com- 
mission regarding the Bratiano question has been depos- 
ited, and Mr. Bratiano has made his reply. 

(August 12.) The Minister of Foreign Affairs made 
the following statements yesterday at the parlia- 
ment: 

"Since the day that we signed the peace, it has been 
our duty to be absolutely neutral towards all countries. 
In consequence, we do not permit any hostile acts, no 
attacks nor discourtesy to the Entente countries. We 
are, nevertheless, obliged to follow the policies that 
result from the peace treaty, which we have to respect 
and apply. This treaty has established between us and 
the Central Powers certain relations that we cannot 
prevent. We are bound to the Central Powers in regard 
to our economic situation, and everybody knows how 
the economic life influences the political life of the 
nation." 

In regard to this, agreements have been made in 
Berlin in view of the execution of this treaty. Answer- 
ing a question of an independent deputy, who character- 
ized the attitude of the government as contrary to the 




Traveling on the Railroads in Roumania during the War 




Town of Campulung in Walachia 



ELECTIONS CONTROLLED BY GERMANS 227 

principles of neutrality, the minister added: "If you 
believe that conditions will change in time, different 
statements will perhaps be made at this Tribune by 
another government." 

The papers of the Roumanian Legation in Petrograd, 
after having been deposited by Mr. Diamandy at the 
French Embassy, have now been handed over to the 
Norwegian Legation. The Marghiloman cabinet intends 
to ask their transfer to Jassy. As these papers contain 
confidential documents regarding the relations between 
Roumania and the Entente, it is necessary that they 
should not be remitted to the Marghiloman cabinet, 
which would give them to the Germans. We beg our 
governments to intercede with the Norwegian govern- 
ment, and request that it does not comply with the 
request of the Marghiloman cabinet. 

(August 13.) The parliament has given authority to 
the Marghiloman cabinet to make decisions in form of 
decrees of law during the parliamentary vacations, and 
during the intervals between the dissolution and the 
convocation of the Chamber, until the general peace. 
This authority will only depend upon restrictions of 
second order, especially as regards the pensions and the 
settling of questions concerning the advance of the civil 
and military officers. 

Count Czernin having stated that, during the nego- 
tiations of Brest-Litovsk, Roumanian politicians had 
brought to his knowledge the fact that Roumania was 
ready to make peace, the king and Mr. Bratiano have 
said that this statement has no foundation as regards 
the Roumanian government, and that it must have 
originated from the Germanophile party in Bucharest. 
The statement has been confirmed by all our information 



228 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

as regards the attitude of the Bratiano government, who 
have resisted the pressure of the poUticians in Bucharest, 
and have admitted the peace negotiations with the 
enemy only after the situation of Roumania had become 
totally desperate as a result of the complete surrounding 
of the country. 

According to a radio from Lyons of the Uth of 
August, the English government has published our col- 
lective telegrams of the 16th of May as regards the peace 
imposed on Roumania. This telegram, which was dis- 
patched after we were no longer allowed to use the wire- 
less, must surely have called the attention of the Germans 
to the fact that we possess a secret means of communi- 
cation via Moscow. We repeat that our code telegrams 
are for the strictly secret use of our governments, and 
that the press should only publish information emanat- 
ing from a neutral source. 

{August 26.) The success of the Entente in France 
and their efforts to reestablish the Oriental front pro- 
duce a great impression here, and raise up again the 
national aspirations. The Germans, afraid of this situ- 
ation, increase their brutalities. 

It is necessary to reveal the manner in which they 
execute the peace terms they have imposed on Roumania. 
Notwithstanding that this peace has already been rati- 
fied by the parliament, the members of which were 
chosen under German control, the Germans do not 
hesitate to make it constantly worse. The occupation 
continues as before, with all its abuses and violences. 
The country is being emptied of its last resources, taken 
by the Germans, or what is the same in effect, requisi- 
tioned with bonds payable by the Roumanian govern- 
ment. 



ELECTIONS CONTROLLED BY GERMANS 229 

The people who fled to Moldavia cannot return to 
their homes, either because the necessary authority has 
not been granted by the Germans or because their homes 
are occupied by the Germans. German officers are being 
billeted in the private properties, where they have their 
families join them, and the unfortunate owners not only 
are deprived of the use of their homes and estates, but 
are even required to pay their unwelcome tenants 
for their occupancy. Thus the wife of a colonel gets an 
allowance of six hundred francs a month as compensa- 
tion for the supervision of the house, and the children 
also get allowances for certain alleged employment. 
Some proprietors, whose property formerly brought them 
several hundred thousand francs a year, having put in a 
claim for at least a part of their income, have been 
answered by bills, according to which the owners owe 
the German occupants considerable sums of money. 
The peasants have been reduced to death by starvation, 
or when forced to labor, in cases of resistance have been 
executed. 

The only relief from the Germans is to take advan- 
tage of their corruptibility. Several officers are men- 
tioned who can be bribed. The Germans do not treat 
the Germanophile government any better than the 
population, several members of the cabinet even being 
unable to obtain authority to reoccupy their homes in 
Bucharest. 

The execution of the clauses of the treaty, favorable 
in appearance to the Roumanians, is always dependent 
on certain conditions. For instance, the remitting of 
posts and telegraphs, still under German control, to 
the Roumanian government, involves an indemnity of 
two hundred millions, for the reimbursement of the 



230 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

betterments they have made in the systems, and they 
want a much larger sum for returning the railways. 

The six divisions mentioned by the treaty for the 
occupation consist of 160,000 men, mostly men inva- 
lided from active service, and these are maintained at 
the expense of Roumania. Although the Germans live 
on what they take from the people, the German govern- 
ment has claimed an indemnity of sixty millions per 
month or 720 millions a year. The Germans request 
that the members of the Bratiano cabinet be arrested. 

The system adopted in Roumania by the Germans 
shows that they are not certain of the future. They 
sacrifice all future prospects for present benefits, by 
taking everything away from the country and terrify- 
ing the people. It is a fact that they do not leave the 
peasants a sufficient quantity of grain for the sowing in 
1919, the future not seeming to interest them. 

{August 27.) A Belgian, Mr. Vermeulen, and an 
Italian, Mr. Negro, have recently submitted to the 
Minister of the United States an invention which, 
according to them, would increase the production of 
bread by 50 per cent. The United States Minister has 
advised his government, but has failed to receive a reply. 

Advantageous propositions have since been made 
to the inventors for the exploitation of their discovery 
in Roumania, but their acceptance would unavoidably 
give the secret of their invention to the Germans. We 
are not in a position to state whether their invention is 
as valuable as they say it is, but the good faith of the 
inventors cannot be doubted, and in case the invention 
is efficient, it is of the greatest importance that the 
enemy be imable to apply it. In these circumstances 
the Ministers of England, France and the United States 




Roumanian General Staff 




Monastery at Tismana, Roumania 
Church from Fourteenth Century 



ELECTIONS CONTROLLED BY GERMANS 231 

have made an arrangement with the inventors that they 
shall not exploit the invention directly or indirectly, nor 
give the secret to any country, without our written author- 
ity. They will leave for London, as soon as circumstances 
permit, to offer their invention to competent tests. 



CHAPTER XXIV 

CROPS MUCH LESS THAN FOOD REQUIREMENTS — 
ELOPEMENT OF CROWN PRINCE 

(August 27, 1918) 

ACCORDING to the local press, the grain harvest 
of this year can be estimated as follows: 
Wheat, 48,000 carloads, requirements, 55,000 
carloads, shortage, 7,000 carloads. 

Oats, 5,100 carloads, requirements, 15,500 
carloads, shortage, 10,400 carloads. 

Barley, 2,500 carloads, requirements, 12,400 
carloads, shortage, 9,900 carloads. 

Maize, 102,000 carloads, requirements, 93,000 
carloads, surplus 9,000 carloads. 
{September 2.) The continual victories of the Entente 
on the Western front have deeply impressed Roumania. 
These victories strengthen the national feeling so much 
depressed by the local situation, but, on the other hand, 
they increase the harsh actions of the Germans, in their 
endeavor to remain masters of Roumania materially, 
the morale of the people escaping them. Their domina- 
tion, based upon faith in their final victory, the chances 
of which, however, decrease every day, they think depends 
upon their severity, and they of course will make the 
people feel their pressure more and more as it becomes 
their only means of control. 

The German authorities, who apply in the occupied 
territory the same system as during the war, demand 
in Moldavia certain steps for their advantage. They 
have proposed three laws: 

232 



CROPS LESS THAN FOOD REQUIREMENTS 233 

(1) To forgive all the traitors and deserters. (2) To 
discuss, at a meeting composed of agents under German 
orders, the question of their right to arrest the mem- 
bers of the old government, and all other people who 
might be in the favor of the old government. (3) To 
free immediately all traitors and deserters who have 
already been condemned. 

Of these three propositions, the first only has been 
foreseen by the peace treaty. The other two will en- 
able the Germans to injure their adversaries, to keep up 
the work of their party and to ruin discipline in the army, 
as the freeing of traitors is contrary to the constitution. 

The king having stated that he will use his preroga- 
tive against these propositions, Mr. Marghiloman has 
resigned. After advice from Mr. Bratiano, the king 
has reversed his decision, and Mr. Marghiloman has 
withdrawn his resignation. The attitude of the king 
is due to the fact that he is afraid the Germans will 
fight again, which intention they openly manifest, in 
order to bring about his fall and entrust the ruling of 
the country to men like Carp and Stere, in whom they 
have more confidence than in Marghiloman. 

The latter has stated to the king in writing that 
these three propositions were imposed by the Germans. 
This last indication is to remain secret. The Germans 
have also presented two legal propositions regarding the 
Banque Nationale and the Credit Foncier, through which 
the control of those two concerns will be entirely in their 
hands. 

They also demand that the military forces be reduced 
to less than the number stipulated in the peace treaty, 
and that the employes of the court be sent away, as they 
were all favorable to the Entente. Certain military 



234 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

measures seem to indicate that they intend to occupy 
Moldavia and to arrest the royal family. We feel that 
our governments should warn the enemy that pursuance 
of the policy of punishing fidelity to the Entente, and 
of seizing and attempting to dominate state and private 
resources and institutions, will result in similar treat- 
ment being accorded them later on. Such a message 
would be very cheering for the Roumanian people, and 
would have a salutary effect on the enemy representa- 
tives. We recommend that it be sent by radio, and that 
it be based on information received through a neu- 
tral country, in order not to involve us, as it would suit 
the German purpose to have a pretext for a break between 
the cabinet and ourselves. Also that the warning shall 
apply to actions in other countries as well as in Roumania. 

As the Germans meet with defeat on the Western 
front, they increase their severity in Roumania. It is 
the apparent intention to reduce this country to a state 
of absolute helplessness before it becomes necessary 
to withdraw any considerable number of the occupation 
troops. Although all the prisoners taken from the 
Central Powers have been released and sent home, the 
Roumanians who were taken by the Germans are being 
held, and are kept at hard labor for the benefit of their 
captors. Contrary to the terms of the peace treaty, 
the Germans now demand all. the war material and 
supplies, and they have already seized that which was 
held in Odessa. And they refuse to permit Roumania 
to keep any standing army, unless part of it shall be put 
under their orders to fight in Russia. 

{September 12.) In reproducing a recent speech of 
Senator Lodge, the newspapers of Bucharest state that 
of all the countries taking part in the war, only Rou- 




Minister Vopicka Addressing German 
Prisoners in Bucharest 



War 




Monastery in Putna, Bukowina, now Part of Roumania 



CROPS LESS THAN FOOD REQUIREMENTS 235 

mania has been omitted. They conclude that Rou- 
mania has sacrificed everything and that they will have 
nothing to expect from the Entente. 

{September 16.) We are sending via Moscow the 
text of a manifesto issued by the representatives of the 
"Party of Labor," in the name of the labor population of 
the cities and country. This manifesto has been secretly 
signed by a great number of people, and refers to the 
monstrous peace imposed on Roumania, which especially 
concerns the laborers. We think it would be important 
to publish this document as widely as possible, especially 
in socialist circles, including those of the Central Powers. 
In order to protect the members of the Party of Labor 
it will be necessary to publish this manifesto as coming 
from an unknown organization, or from the Roumanian 
laborers. 

An emissary has been sent recently by the Hungarian 
government to the royal family of Roumania. He has 
had an audience with the queen and the crown prince, 
and he has spoken to them regarding an agreement 
between Roumania and Hungary to act against the 
great countries in the general peace negotiations. Hav- 
ing agreed to see this emissary only upon the re- 
quest of the Prime Minister, the queen and the 
crown prince listened to him and then declared that no 
conversation of this nature is possible so long as Rou- 
manian territory is occupied. 

It is not known in any of the governmental circles 
what is behind this proposition, but the Hungarian 
emissary stated his desire to see the queen because she 
is an English princess, and it is questionable whether 
these steps were not more or less antagonistic to England. 

{September 21.) A letter from General Averescu 



236 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

has been read at the Chamber meeting, concerning the 
attitude of Roumania, which is too much in favor of 
the Central Powers, and contrary to a strict neutrahty, 
especially regarding an eventual military action of the 
Roumanian army in Ukrainia. 

Mr. Cuza, an independent member of the Parlia- 
ment, has developed the subject of realizing the impor- 
tance of public opinion, and has also dwelt upon the 
fact that the government, beyond the clauses of the 
peace treaty, has authorized the export of 12,300 car- 
loads of grain from Bessarabia. He has also called 
attention to the fact that there are rumors of the 
delivery of ammunition to the Central Powers. 

Mr. Marghiloman has firmly denied the rumors 
concerning a cooperation of Roumania in Ukrainia, and 
has stated that he has received no demands to this 
effect. 

As regards the attitude of the press, he has stated 
that he did not go beyond the principles of neutrahty, 
and that it was natural, as Roumania had concluded 
peace with Austro-Hungary, that she was trying to 
regain the confidence lost as a consequence of the war. 
Regarding the grain exports from Bessarabia, he stated 
that he had consented to this only in order to limit the 
requisitions of the Germans in the occupied territory, 
and thus help the Roumanian people indirectly. He 
adds, however, that on account of inefficient guarding 
of the frontier, a great deal of grain is smuggled to 
Ukrainia. On the other hand, the Germans have only 
been able to get 2,000 carloads of what was sent. As 
regards ammunition, he stated that he has not sent 
any of it to the enemy, although, according to the con- 
vention of the Hague, a neutral country has the right 



CROPS LESS THAN FOOD REQUIREMENTS 237 

to furnish arms to a belligerent state. He concluded 
by stating that he will maintain a strict neutrality. 

Several days ago, the crown prince mysteriously 
left Roumania, leaving a letter to be delivered to the 
king a few days after his departure. In this he declared 
his intention to enter the service on the Western front. 
He was accompanied by a young girl of the middle class, 
Mademoiselle Lambrino, whom he married in Odessa. 
Being recognized, he was unable to proceed further, 
and at the request of his parents he returned to 
Roumania, where he will be tried for leaving the com- 
mand of his regiment without proper authority. His 
marriage may compel him to relinquish his rights to the 
throne in favor of Prince Nicholai, whom the Germans 
would greatly prefer. 

The king, as commander in chief of the army, has 
condemned the crown prince to imprisonment in jail 
for seventy-five days for leaving his command without 
permission. There is much discussion as to whether 
or not the crown prince should forfeit his rights to the 
Crown. Several who have been in favor of it have 
altered their opinions, having realized the desire of the 
Germans. 

Returning from Bucharest, Mr. Marghiloman, appar- 
ently through German influence, has threatened to 
resign if the crown prince's rights were not forfeited, 
and he also proposed to the king that the constitution 
be so altered as to permit, in case of necessity, the 
nomination of a foreigner in the crown prince's stead. 
In this connection he mentioned the Prince of Hohen- 
zollem and the Duke of Brunswick, a son-in-law of the 
Emperor. The king has refused to consider this pro- 
posal. 



238 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

The Societe Commerciale de Navigation Russe 
announces that the service between Odessa and Con- 
stantinople, with the former calls at Roumanian ports 
in the Black Sea, will be taken up again. 

A radio of the Transoceanic Agency announces 
that the service of freight trains between Germany 
and Roumania will soon be reestablished. In conse- 
quence of this communication, a newspaper of Bucha- 
rest announces that the firm of S. &. W. Hoffman will 
undertake the imports between Hungary and Roumania 
and the firm of Schenker & Co. the imports between 
Austria and Roumania, and that the firm Express of 
Berlin has established a branch office in Bucharest 
for the needs of the German import business. 

{September 26.) We are endeavoring to impress 
upon our governments the absolute necessity, in the 
existing circumstances, of being able to communicate 
with them by means of code telegrams, and we urge 
action which will enable us to properly conduct our 
legations. 

The campaign of the Bucharest newspapers against 
the Entente grows worse each day. A first page article 
has appeared headed "The Treason of the Entente." 
A few of the papers of Jassy have joined in this campaign. 
One of them states that the actual situation of the 
Entente is very difficult, and leads readers to expect a 
colossal offensive of the Germans against France. They 
state that if peace is concluded according to the fourteen 
points of President Wilson, or the seven points of the 
German program, Germany will not be destroyed, but 
on the contrary will be strengthened. 

{October 1.) Events in Bulgaria produce in Rou- 
mania considerable effect. They strengthen the feeling 




Episcopalian Palace and Church of the Monastery at 

CURTEA DE ArGESH IN ROUMANIA 




Bistritza Valley in Walachia 



CROPS LESS THAN FOOD REQUIREMENTS 239 

created by the victories of the Entente on the other 
fronts in favor of a reintervention of the Roumanian 
army on our side. In all circles there are rumors of a 
new mobilization. But the German occupation becoming 
more strict, and the disorganization of the army accord- 
ing to the peace treaty, which has already been realized 
to a great extent, reduce Roumania to complete inca- 
pacity as long as she cannot get in communication with 
the Allied troops. It is also feared that any attempt to 
mobilize or any trouble resulting would be followed by 
the occupation of Moldavia, and that the Roumanian 
government would disappear, also what is left of the 
army, until Roumania is freed by the Allies. 

According to some information from German sources, 
this occupation would have been accomplished a long 
time ago if it were not a military problem. But it is 
said that the German government cares less for the 
military advantage than for the fact that it would 
have to violate completely the only treaty of peace 
the Germans have concluded with a regular government. 
It is for this reason they have not wiped out the seat of 
hostility that Moldavia presents to them, and have not 
even demanded the sending away of the Allied missions, 
which, however, they try to crush. 

However, if any steps were taken in view of a new 
mobilization, or if there was violent excitement, this 
would permit the Germans to occupy Moldavia im- 
mediately under pretext that the peace treaty has been 
broken by Roumania. In order to reduce to a minimum 
the risks of such occupation, the friends of the Entente 
do their best to avoid any action that might lead to it. 
In order to facilitate their task, and to furnish no pre- 
text to the Germans, it is preferable for the time being 

16 



240 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

that the radios destined to Roumania do not refer to 
this eventual mobilization. 

The day that Roumania is able to communicate 
with the Allied troops on their arrival at the Danube, 
the Roumanians will help with all their strength. But 
the Entente will have to renew their engagements with 
Roumania, and it would be of great help if the United 
States would join them. 

The general feeling here is that Roumania has done 
its duty under the peace made imperative by the treason 
and hostility of the Russians. The engagements keep 
their political and moral value; their judicial value only 
can be contested since Roumania has officially ceased to 
be our ally. We request our governments to let us know 
as soon as possible what we will have to reply if this 
question is raised. In case we have to reply affirma- 
tively, we ask that the following wire be sent to the 
French Legation: — "Your accounts up to the 30th of 
March have been approved." 

We will of course remind Roumania of its own en- 
gagements, and we leave it to our military attaches to 
explain the importance of the aid of the Roumanian 
army and the disposition to be taken. 

{October 3.) Mr. Constantinesco, former Minister 
of Interior in the Bratiano cabinet, together with the 
former prefect of police in Bucharest and others, has 
been arrested. He has been shut up in the central 
prison, notwithstanding the law providing a special 
system for the detention of ministers. 

{October 6.) The Germans, who have always post- 
poned the ratification of the peace treaty, seem to be im- 
patient to proceed to it since the events in Bulgaria. It 
would of course be in their favor to give this treaty a 



CROPS LESS THAN FOOD REQUIREMENTS 241 

more definite character. On the other hand, although 
the Marghiloman cabinet desires to postpone this for- 
mality, perhaps to make the peace treaty less definite, 
we think they will not be able to delay it much longer. 
In fact, the exchange of ratifications would have the 
effect, theoretically, of bringing an end to the requi- 
sitions that reduce the country to starvation, and also 
an end to the unlimited issue of paper money authorized 
by the Germans and redeemable by the Roumanian 
government, the amount already issued being approxi- 
mately three milliard lei. 

But the most imperative reason for not refusing 
the exchange of ratifications, which would decide even the 
most faithful friends of the Entente, is the danger of 
incurring by this attitude the immediate occupation 
of Moldavia, which would of course destroy all chances 
of mobilization. 

{October 7.) The peace proposition of the Germans 
is watched anxiously, the program of President Wilson 
being accepted as the basis of the negotiations, which, 
according to the telegrams we have received, mentions 
the evacuation of the German troops in Roumania. 

The fact that Roumania has often been ignored has 
been taken advantage of by our enemies, and it will 
be of the greatest importance to see to it that this is 
done no more. This, combined with the public and 
private ruin and misery, would incite terrible anarchy, 
and the reahzation of national unity and economic 
restoration will be the only means of preventing Russian 
anarchy from penetrating Roumania. 

On the other hand, the day that order is reestablished 
in Roumania, the national feeling has been so much 
suppressed it would not lead to complications for the 



242 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Entente. On the contrary, the realization of national 
unity and the economic restoration would mean for the 
Entente, in an enlarged and grateful Roumania, a strong 
political and economic basis between Bulgaria and 
Southern Russia. 

Mr. Bratiano, who will probably again be prime 
minister when circumstances permit the king to make 
his choice, has called on us to impress upon our govern- 
ments this expectation, which is fully justified. Mr. 
Bratiano hopes that the continuation of hostilities and 
the arrival of the Allied troops from the Orient will 
permit Roumania to take up arms again, which, it is 
believed, would restore all their value to the engagements 
entered into with her, and the peace concluded at Bucha- 
rest would be considered invalid, as it was imposed on 
Roumania at a time when Roumania was no longer in 
a position to make any useful sacrifices. 

In view of the extremely difficult situation in Rou- 
mania and the continual danger of a total occupation, 
which would eliminate any chances of mobilization that 
still exist, we urge the necessity of publishing nothing 
regarding the reintervention of Roumania. 

We understand from the German authorities in 
Bucharest that the peace proposition has been made in 
order to divide the Allies and to influence the opinion 
of the Entente countries. They state that the Central 
Powers will do all that is necessary for the reestablish- 
ment of their situation in the Balkans. 

{October 11.) According to a radiogram from Nauen, 
stating the conditions imposed by Bulgaria, that country 
will keep that part of Dobrudja lying south of Cobadin. 
We have not failed to notify the Prime Minister that 
this is contrary to the Interallied statement communi- 




Alexander Marghiloman 



CROPS LESS THAN FOOD REQUIREMENTS 243 

cated in a telegram from Kamarvon of the 30th of Sep- 
tember, according to which Bulgaria was to be left in 
the old borders of 1915, and the conditions regarding 
territory were to be settled at the general peace as per 
statement to which Mr. Orlando has referred in his 
speech. However, a communication of the Bulgarian 
journal "Presoretz," and a telegram from Renter, men- 
tioning the maintaining of the Bulgarian troops in 
Dobrudja, yesterday provoked a great wrath against 
the Allies, which was expressed in most violent terms. 
We beg our governments to confirm officially the pre- 
vious statements of the Entente. 

In order to rush the exchange of ratifications, the 
Germans have intimated that they are willing to grant 
some concessions as regards Dobrudja and the Carpathian 
frontier. Mr. Marghiloman, who, as he states, is only 
trying to gain time, has replied that any offer to this 
effect is of no value, the acceptance by Germany of the 
program of President Wilson being of a nature to give 
back the whole Roumanian territory. He has added 
that Germany was in position to give an immediate 
advantage to Roumania in removing the troops, or 
at least clearing the district of the capital. The Ger- 
mans have refused to do this, stating that it is absolutely 
necessary for them to keep under their control the ex- 
ploitation of the petroleum fields because of the sub- 
marine war. They have stated that they would rather 
sacrifice the last man of the occupation than give this up. 

In order to excite the Roumanians against the 
Entente, the Germans have told them that the Allied 
Powers are negotiating a separate peace with Austro- 
Hungary. In the Germanophile circles it is considered 
that in this case, as Roumania has been abandoned by 



244 



SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 



the Entente, the best thing to do is to come to an agree- 
ment with the Central Powers before the conclusion of 
the general peace. 

The day after receiving this information I assured 
Mr. Marghiloman that Roumania would be well treated 
by the Entente, and that all she could receive would 
be at the hands of the Entente, as the Central Powers 
would have nothing to give. 



CHAPTER XXV 

GERMANS OFFER CONCESSIONS TO HASTEN RATIFICATION 
OF PEACE TREATY 

{October 16, 1918) 

THE Germans are trying to hasten exchange of the 
ratifications of the peace treaty. In order to ob- 
tain this, they offer Dobrudja, including the territory 
gained in 1914, the reestablishment of the old Carpath- 
ian frontier and acknowledgment of the union with Bess- 
arabia. 

The Marghiloman cabinet, pretending that Rou- 
mania has been abandoned by the Allies, the German 
information regarding the cession of part of Dobrudja 
to Bulgaria not having been denied, is willing to accept 
the German propositions. The Germanophile party 
state that the attitude of the Entente towards Roumania 
only proves that they have nothing more to expect, 
except from the side of the Central Powers. The king 
has given formal orders to Mr. Marghiloman to avoid 
the exchange of ratifications and to accept nothing from 
the Germans. He has stated that he would not sanction 
anything in that direction. 

{October 22.) Roumanian opinion has been favorably 
impressed by the brief answer of Hungary to the Austrian 
federalization plan. But a communication of the 20th 
of this month, which states that the answer of President 
Wilson to Austria was much softer in tone and form than 
the note sent to Germany, produces a worse effect on 
account of the persistent silence of the Entente regarding 
their intentions towards Roumania, while they have 
issued statements in favor of all other nations. 

245 



246 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Ever since I came to Jassy, Prime Minister Bratiano 
has repeatedly, through me, asked my government, and 
President Wilson personally, to confirm the promise that 
everything the Entente Powers have held out to Rou- 
mania will be granted to her. To all my correspondence, 
up to the 24th of October, 1918, the only answer has 
been that Roumania will lose none of her ten'itory if 
she stays in the war with the Allies. 

That was not satisfactory to the Roumanian govern- 
ment and people, as they claimed that they v/ent to war 
for the purpose of freeing other Roum.anians in Transyl- 
vania, Bukowina and Banat. They have made immense 
sacrifices, losing nearly 360,000 soldiers and about as 
many lives of civilians, which was more than one-tenth 
of the entire population of Roumania. From time to 
time, the Prime Minister asked my colleagues to try 
to obtain the promise from my government through their 
governments, but without success. 

I personally was satisfied that the claims of Rou- 
mania were just, and I therefore telegraphed to my 
government several items, explaining the position of 
the Liberal and Take Jonescu Conservative parties, who 
were our friends, and who were responsible to Roumania 
for the entrance into the war on the side of the Allies. 
I stated that if Roumania, after all her sacrifices, was to 
retain only her old territory, the people of Roumania 
would charge the Roumanian government, friends of 
the Allies, with treachery, because not only had they 
lost more than 700,000 lives in the war, but their debt 
was increased by many milliards of lei. I begged our 
government to consider this question, especially as the 
same was in conformity with President Wilson's fourteen 
points, as the majority of the population in Transylvania, 
Bukowina and Banat were Roumanian. 




MlHAIL PhEREKYDE 



i 



GERMANS OFFER COiNCESSIONS 247 

The German propaganda takes advantage of the 
Entente silence to make the people believe that the 
Allies attempt to treat with Hungary to the detriment 
of Roumania. As we are still unable to give any satis- 
factory explanation, and cannot even refer to public 
statements of our governments, we cannot successfully 
fight against this campaign, which impresses even the 
most faithful friends of the Entente. 

Mr. Bratiano himself stated that if, contrary to 
what he expected, the Entente do not carry out their 
engagements with Roumania, he and all the politicians 
who have been accused of having started the war at our 
request will be compelled to admit their error publicly, 
and give up their political careers. In conformity with 
our previous telegrams, we beg our governments to make 
a clear statement in order to bring an end to this cam- 
paign, which gravely injures our cause. 

The fact that Roumania is actually governed by a 
Germanophile cabinet, imposed by the enemy, should 
not be reason to delay this statement. On the contrary, 
it is the absence of such a statement that gives the power 
to this cabinet. We beg to repeat that this cabinet 
will be replaced by Ententist members as soon as the 
king recovers his liberty to decide, and we call attention 
to the fact that there has been agitation on account of 
a telegram from the French government regarding 
Dobrudja. This telegram not only makes reference to 
the national aspirations of Roumania, but creates the 
understanding that their rights to Dobrudja, i. e., to its 
old territory, might be discussed at the general peace. 
Several prominent Russians, among them the Min- 
ister of Russia and the Mayor of Odessa, have stated 
to us that the people in Ukrainia are terrorized at 



248 



SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 



the prospect of the Bolshevik system that might fol- 
low the departure of the German troops, if they are not 
immediately replaced by Allied troops. Some murders 
have already been committed in the freed places. We 
think that in the interest of our future action in Russia, 
it will be necessary to make efforts to reply to this appeal, 
and reduce to the absolute minimum the delay between 
the departure of the Germans and the arrival of the 
Allies. 

The help of the Roumanian troops has already been 
requested in case they shall be in a position to act with 
the Allied troops. But it is preferable, if possible, to 
hold the Roumanian troops for action in Austro-Hun- 
gary. Also, in regard to the Roumano-Russian hostility, 
the interference of the Roumanian troops might make 
worse the relations between the two countries, and would 
complicate the politics of the Entente. Furthermore, 
the moral effect of the presence of Allied troops would 
be much greater, and would permit the obtaining of good 
results with a relatively small number. The action of 
the Roumanian troops would only be in proportion with 
the actual troops. 

Mr. Bratiano, who desires to give all the help to the 
Entente that he can, has stated that he would, in case 
of necessity, send part of the Roumanian troops to Russia 
under the control of the Allies. But we beg to insist 
upon the great advantage to Russia that would result 
from some of the Allied troops being sent there imme- 
diately, where they would get in touch with the volun- 
tary army of General Alexeieff, which occupies the 
district of Rostow. This army has requested that 
ammunition be sent to Vovoromk as soon as possible. 
We recommend this request. 



GERMANS OFFER CONCESSIONS 249 

The Central Powers have requested the Roumanian 
government to make the following announcements: 

(1) To repudiate their claims on Transylvania. 

(2) To ask the maintaining of the German occupa- 
tion troops. 

The Central Powers have sent Russian and other 
agents to provoke trouble in order to justify this demand. 
The chief of these agents is Colonel Randa, ex-attache 
militaire of Austria in Bucharest. He has considerable 
funds at his disposal, with the corrupting of the Tran- 
sylvanian refugees in view and obtaining from them a 
statement of their friendship toward Austro-Hungary. 
The Maghiloman cabinet states that it is trying to 
gain time. If the Central Powers are successful in 
extorting the desired statements from the Roumanian 
government, these concessions should be considered as 
invalid. 

The Germans urge the immediate exchange of 
ratifications. They maintain their offer of the cession 
of Dobrudja and the old frontier of the Carpathians, 
also recognition of the annexation of Bessarabia. But 
in case of refusal, they state that they will take the 
following steps: 

(1) Aggravation of the system of requisitions in the 
occupied territory. 

(2) Prohibition to pass from Moldavia to the occu- 
pied territory. 

(3) Occupation of the railroads in Bessarabia. 

(4) Invitation to Ukrainia to claim Bessarabia by all 
their means. 

The king has given orders to the Prime Minister to 
do everything possible to gain time, without giving an 
absolute refusal, and to base the exchange of ratifications 



250 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

upon the removal of the Germans from part of the 
invaded territory. 

The attitude of Germany regarding Bessarabia shows 
that they do not consider the will of the people, but 
only see in this an object for exchange. The king having 
secretly asked us for advice we have encouraged him to 
preserve this dilatory attitude. The situation of the 
troops in the Balkans, and also the views of our govern- 
ments being ignored, we cannot afford to take the re- 
sponsibility of encouraging resistance that might lead to 
the occupation of Moldavia, which would make any 
chance of mobilization absolutely impossible. We urge 
the necessity of granting no armistice except the removal 
of the German troops from the Roumanian territory be 
one of the conditions. 

We are still unable to give the least indication as 
regards the views of our governments concerning their 
agreements with Roumania. We beg to repeat that in 
all the statements of the Entente, the national aspira- 
tions of Roumania have been omitted, that this excep- 
tion cannot be understood here, and that it places us 
in a difficult position. 

(October 23.) The local press has printed the follow- 
ing statement of the Roumanian National Committee of 
Transylvania, according to a telegram from Budapest: 

"The executive committee of the National party 
have had, on October 12, a meeting at Cradia-Mare, in 
which it has been decided to adopt a statement by which 
the Roumanian nation, in the situation created by the 
World War, asserts the right to freely decide its destiny, 
with the other free nations. 

**The national organization of the Roumanians in 
Hungary does not allow the government, nor the Magyar 




Alexander Constantinescu 



GERMANS OFFER CONCESSIONS 251 

parliament, nor any other foreign factor, to represent 
the interests of the nation of Roumania at the General 
Congress of Peace." 

We refer to our telegram of August 27 as regards an 
invention for making bread. It has been impossible un- 
til now to send the inventors to London, and, in view 
of an eventual early peace, it leads us to think that it 
might no longer be necessary to consider this invention. 
The inventors are impatient. Any delay risks their 
patent rights, a risk they wish to avoid, unless it is 
proved that their invention can be useful to the Allies. 

{October 26.) The statements of Mr. Take Jonescu 
regarding the approach of Roumanian interference 
have been reproduced, according to a Dutch newspaper, 
the "Telegraaf," by the press in Bucharest. The pub- 
lishing of these statements is very imprudent, as any- 
thing justifying the defiance of the Germans can be 
their pretext for the occupation of Moldavia, which 
would reduce Roumania to complete incapacity and 
would complicate the task of the Allies. 

Any reference made to the eventual interference of 
Roumania can only render this action more difficult, 
and perhaps impossible. We urge that the telegrams 
of the Allies should read accordingly. We beg to refer 
to the telegrams from Lyons on October 23 regarding 
the operations in Bulgaria, which mention an alliance 
with Roumania. It would have been better that the 
mission of General Berthelot had not been mentioned 
in the telegrams, as the matter has immediately been 
found out here. 

There is a great desire for a clear understanding 
of the interference of Roumania as soon as it may be 
materially possible. It is feared that the Germans will 



252 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

take advantage of the least pretext to occupy Moldavia, 
and also that the hostilities will cease before the Rou- 
manians are able to satisfy their desire for vengeance 
in fighting again on the side of the Allies. 

It is desirable not to excite the Roumanians, but 
rather to quiet them and to give them full assurance 
of the feelings of the Entente, as was done in the tele- 
gram from Lyons on the 22d of this month. It will 
also be necessary to blind the Germans as much as 
possible, so that Roumania can rise up at once to surprise 
them, instead of giving them a hint by early prepara- 
tions. 

It may not be forgotten that we are at present interned 
in an Austro-German camp, Moldavia being not only 
surrounded by enemy troops, but also controlled by 
the Germans or their agents, who are at the head of all 
services. The Roumanian army has been disorganized 
to such an extent that it would be impossible to resist 
even a small attack. On the other hand, nothing can 
be done without the help or the knowledge of the exist- 
ing cabinet, and the replacement by an Ententist cabinet 
would certainly be considered by the Germans as a 
provocation, which should not happen before the right 
time. Until further orders, it will be necessary that 
any action be strictly secret. 

It must be appreciated that under these conditions, 
the aid of 'Roumania cannot be but very weak. We 
leave it to our military attaches to indicate precisely the 
conditions. We must, however, repeat that the king, 
the politicians, and the generals indicated for command, 
have never considered the interference of Roumania as 
possible, unless the action of the Allied troops would 
prevent the Germans from hindering the mobilization. 




Jon. I. C. Bratianu 



GERMANS OFFER CONCESSIONS 253 

Once this result is obtained, the importance of the 
Roumanian military force will rapidly develop. This 
force will gradually reach the number of 400,000 men, as 
the territory is freed from the occupation. 

Under these circumstances, the interference of Rou- 
mania offers us advantages for our future operations. 
But it would be an embarrassment for the Allies, and 
a cause of weakness, if it is started too early or found 
out, i. e., before the communication with the Allied 
troops is absolutely certain, and would only have the 
result of giving the Germans a reason to occupy Moldavia. 
In this case the Allies would have to conquer the whole 
country; the enemy would be in a position to get hold 
of all the railroad material which is accumulated there, 
which would be of great necessity to the Allies in Austro- 
Hungary; and if the war lasts, the enemy would have 
the benefit of the next crop. 

We wish to impress the importance of the following: 

(1) To avoid anything that might enable the enemy 
to find out our intentions in respect to the mobilization 
in Moldavia. 

(2) To take into account, in the elaboration of the 
plan of the Allies, the fact that, Moldavia being actually 
at the mercy of the Germans, the mobilization is to be 
preceded by an Inter- Allied action in order to give them 
the necessary freedom of operation, so as not to expose 
them to a useless disaster, which would be both morally 
and materially detrimental to our caus3. 

(3) To give to the Chief Commander of the Allied 
troops the means to insure the help of all Roumanian 
forces in organizing as soon as possible a powerful offen- 
sive, which should be sufficiently efficient to prevent the 
enemy from having time to eliminate the existing 



254 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

elements for mobilization, or to send to Germany the 
troops in Walachia. 

In requesting our governments not to fail to do every- 
thing possible to reduce the risks of the Roumanian 
interference, and to insure its efficiency, we must consider 
the hypothesis that if contrary to all calculations the 
Germans should decide to occupy Moldavia anyhow. 
In this case, we believe we act according to the view 
of our governments in advising the king to resist at any 
cost, if the military authorities think this will be possible. 

[October 27.) We learn from a reliable source that 
the Austrian functioners of the Danube commission, who 
were living at Sulina, have been sent back to their 
country. 

The newspapers in Bucharest are taking advantage, 
against the Allies, of a telegram from Paris, published 
by the "Gazette de Lausanne," according to which the 
pourparlers have started, under the control of the 
Entente, between Bulgaria and Roumania, looking 
toward settlement of the question of the Dobrudja. 
It will be necessary to make a clear statement in order 
to stop this campaign. 

However, the tone of the press of Bucharest has 
become less dangerous since the telegram from Lyons 
of the 22d of this month has made a favorable impres- 
sion in interpreting the statement of President Wilson 
in such a way as to indicate that the Italian and Rou- 
manian populations, which had not been mentioned, 
will get back their country. The best means to fight 
this propaganda is to confirm the foregoing. 

{October 30.) The king has notified us that the 
Germans demand the immediate exchange of ratifications 
of the treaty of Bucharest. They threaten, in case of 




General Averescu 



GERMANS OFFER CONCESSIONS 255 

another postponement, to completely starve the popu- 
lation of the occupied territory, and to treat the Rou- 
manians as belligerents. On the other hand, the Ger- 
mans state that they are still disposed, in case of imme- 
diate ratification, to restore the Dobrudja and the old 
frontier of the Carpathians, but they make no allusion 
to the evacuation of Roumania. Notwithstanding the 
insistence of the Marghiloman cabinet for acceptance of 
these conditions, the king has opposed a curt refusal. 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has revealed his 
views to the English Minister. Very desirous not to 
injure the Entente, he wishes that the exchange of 
ratifications may be effected with the consent of the 
Allies, but he insists that a refusal will result in new 
sufferings for the people. However, he adds that the 
exchange of ratifications should be effected with the 
understanding that Germany will admit the revision 
of the treaty at the conclusion of the general peace. 

We do not know whether the Germans are prepared 
to accept this restriction, which seems practically to 
take away the value of the desired action, except for a 
moral effect. In conformity with the demand made 
on our colleague, the English Minister, we beg to inform 
our governments of this interview, using the means 
which has again been granted to us for this special case, 
to correspond in cipher by the wireless. Their reply 
can be sent to us in the same way. Our colleague has 
replied, dwelling upon the bad effect that would be 
produced by the exchange of ratifications in the present 
circumstances. 

With the exception of the Marghiloman cabinet, 
the king and the Ententist politicians are more than 
ever of the opinion that it is necessary to delay as much 

17 



256 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

as possible the exchange of ratifications, except in case 
it be the only means of avoiding the occupation of 
Moldavia, and the death of all hope of a new interference 
on the part of Roumania. 

In accord with all Ententist politicians, the Minister 
of Foreign Affairs has requested that we obtain assur- 
ance from our governments that the armistice be granted 
only on condition that Roumania first be freed of the 
German occupation. 

To prevent, as much as possible, the Germans resort- 
ing to new violence in order to obtain immediate rati- 
fications, it will be necessary to denounce, with the 
greatest publicity possible, the difference between their 
demands of Roumania, and their general attitude, 
especially regarding the acceptance of the program of 
President Wilson, and their statement, according to 
which the treaties of Brest-Litovsk and Bucharest 
should not make any difference at the general peace. 

The requisitions are being effected with more bru- 
tality than ever. Cases are mentioned in which mothers 
commit suicide in the presence of German officers, 
because they are unable to feed their children. In 
fact, the Germans are systematically creating anarchy 
in Roumania, even opening up Bolshevik schools. 
They try by this to make any mobilization impossible, 
and to provoke a request for the maintaining of the 
German troops in the occupied territory, so as to repress 
any movements they endeavor to prepare. Until now 
this campaign has had no effect. 

We urge the necessity, in the armistice conditions, 
not only of mentioning the removal of all occupation 
troops from Roumania but also of accenting the promise 
that the atrocities committed shall not go unpunished. 



GERMANS OFFER CONCESSIONS 257 

We ask our governments to let us know if their 
manner of considering the ratification is in conformity 
with the advice expressed by us. We request them also 
to give us instructions regarding the different questions 
which we have submitted to them in our previous tele- 
grams, to which we have never received a reply. 

{November 2.) As the Germans are trying to place 
the responsibility on the Allies for the destruction and 
disaster of which Roumania has become the victim, we 
have addressed the following note to the Minister of 
Foreign Affairs: 

"We have been informed of the cruel conditions of 
which Roumania is the victim between the Central 
Powers and the Allied troops, resulting from the Ger- 
man command having placed batteries in the cities 
nearest to the front, which made it necessary for the 
Allies to do the same. 

"Thus, notwithstanding the essential principles of 
the rights of the people, and without taking into account 
the state of neutrality proclaimed by the Roumanian 
government, the Central Powers transform the occupied 
districts into battlefields. In these circumstances the 
Central Powers are responsible for the destruction 
incurred by this new violation of rights. 

"We have thus the right, in the name of our govern- 
ments, to decline any responsibility in connection with 
war acts, which are not being imposed by the presence 
of any enemy in the Roumanian territory, and which 
would end immediately in case of removal of the troops." 

In order to impress the Roumanians favorably, and 
to counteract the German propaganda, it will be neces- 
sary to make, without further delay, the statement 
requested in our previous telegrams regarding the 



258 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

responsibility of Germany for any ravages committed 
in Roumania. 

{November 4.) The Germans are executing their 
threats to starve the population in the occupied terri- 
tory. Thus, in robbing the country, they create a state 
of misery and revolt, which is very favorable to their 
Bolshevik propaganda, designed to make mobilization 
impossible and to complicate the task of our troops 
when they enter the Roumanian territory. 

Referring to our different telegrams which we have 
addressed to our governments since June 23 regarding 
the necessity of sending food to Roumania, we urge that 
immediate steps be taken in furtherance of this aid, 
which is needed as much in the interests of the Allies as 
for humane considerations. Concerning the quantity 
and nature of foods to be sent, we have left it to our 
United States colleague to give the necessary details 
to our governments. 





Small Steamer "Rannenfjord," which Brought Minister 
VopiCKA FROM Norway to America 



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Jassy, Moldavia 



CHAPTER XXVI 

ADVICE TO BESSARABIANS 
SECURING JUSTICE FOR JEWS IN ROUMANIA 

{November 6, 1918) 

AS the king considers that in the present situation 
he has sufficient freedom of action to compel the 
Marghiloman cabinet to resign, he has submitted the 
matter to us. We have considered it preferable, the 
same as he, that a cabinet of politicians under the presi- 
dency of Mr. Bratiano be not yet constituted. 

The formation of such a government would be under- 
stood by the Germans as a breaking off of relations, 
and might provoke action on their side that will render 
all chances of mobilization impossible, and which the 
Roumanian government would not be in a position to 
resist. The impression has even been produced that 
the Turkish armistice makes the local situation more 
difficult, as the German troops are said to be discharging 
arms at Constanza and Odessa. As we are not aware 
of the intentions of the staff of the armies of the Orient, 
we are not in a position to modify this impression. 

On the other hand, that which is of greatest im- 
portance in such a difficult situation, in view of the 
exterior and interior conditions, is that the new govern- 
ment, after the resignation of Marghiloman, will im- 
mediately function energetically. The king and Mr. 
Bratiano, who are anxious to form a national ministry, 
have not been able to effect an agreement between the 
different Ententist parties, the rivalry between whom 
is stronger than ever. The task of the king is being 
complicated by the attitude of General Averescu. 

259 



260 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

A temporary ministry seems the only one to meet 
the exigencies of the situation. This ministry, composed 
exclusively of generals and functioners, would have 
their admitted program to maintain order. In fact, 
according to instructions from the king, and under the 
secret direction of Mr. Bratiano, they would immediately 
take all necessary measures for the preparation of mobili- 
zation, and to insure, at the right time, proper action 
under the presidency of Mr. Bratiano. 

After the Roumanians had united with the Bess- 
arabians, many people of Bessarabia, property owners 
and Jews, came to our Legation in Jassy, and asked 
me to visit Kishenev to see for myself that their charges 
against the Roumanians were true. So at the beginning 
of November, 1918, I, together with our military attache, 
took a flying trip to that city. 

Bessarabia at present has 2,700,000 inhabitants, of 
which 2,000,000 are Roumanians but call themselves 
Moldavians, and about 700,000 are Germans, Russians, 
Jews, Bulgarians, Bohemians, Greeks and people of 
other nationalities, living in different parts of the country. 
After Roumania was joined by Bessarabia, many officers 
in different departments of the Bessarabian government 
were replaced by the Roumanians, and that accounts 
for the great enmity of the Russians and Russian Jews, 
who formerly held many of these positions. 

The pro-Russians claimed that their liberty was 
taken away from them, that they could not hold meetings, 
that every nine people who wished to come together 
had to have permission from the government, and that 
the teaching of the Russian language was stopped and 
replaced by the Roumanian language in all the schools. 



ADVICE TO BESSARABIANS 261 

When I arrived at Kishenev, many persons came to the 
hotel where I stopped, and talked about their grievances 
against Roumania. On the other hand, when I visited 
the Governor, General Vaitoianu, he told me that all 
these complaints were without merit or foundation, and 
that everybody was treated right in Bessarabia. To 
prove that this statement was true, he took us to the 
first village, probably an hour's distance from Kishenev, 
and there we found at the Town Hall many people 
awaiting us. The Governor asked them in my presence 
different questions, and a Bessarabian soldier, who had 
fought in the Roumanian army, and who was now dis- 
charged and returned to his village, answered, "The 
people here are for complete autonomy, and not a partial 
autonomy, which we are now getting from the Rou- 
manians." This remark, of course, was not to the 
Governor's liking. 

The same day I was invited to a luncheon given 
by the Governor in the State House, to which also 
was invited a committee of large property owners 
of Bessarabia. After the lunch these men complained 
to me that Roumania was seeking to divide the land 
among the peasants. They claimed that if the lands 
were cut up in small holdings, nothing would be exported 
from Bessarabia, because the farmers would plant only 
what they needed for themselves, not caring anything 
about exports. They asked for my opinion. I answered 
them: 

"Privately, I believe that you should subdivide your 
land, and receive payment from the government ac- 
cording to the system now adopted in Roimiania. You 
asked for protection against Bolshevism when there was 
danger that the Bolsheviki would take everything from 



262 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

you. The Roumanians protected you, and now when 
the government wants to do away with the reasons for 
Bolshevism, and wishes to divide your land, you object. 
Don't you think that your life and property will be 
safer without Bolshevism and under the protection of 
the Roumanian government?" 

They adjourned their meeting without making any 
definite decision. Of course the majority of them pre- 
ferred to belong to Russia if the Bolsheviki were not 
in control there. 

The next day we were invited by General Vaitoianu 
to the University, where the Bessarabians arranged a 
great celebration over the year's duration of auton- 
omy in Bessarabia. About two thousand people were 
present. All the professors, students, and prominent 
men and women of the city and country were there, 
and speeches were made in nearly all languages. The 
autonomy was praised enthusiastically. 

At the end of the meeting, the people began to call 
for me. I declined to talk, but when a committee of 
ladies and the bishop came to me, and asked me to say 
a few words, I got up and said that I wished that all 
the Roumanian aspirations might be realized. I spoke 
in English, and I do not believe that twenty-five people 
understood what I said, but I spoke English purposely 
because all the other languages of the Allies were spoken 
there, and I thought that my country's language should 
also be heard. 

In the evening I accepted an invitation from the 
Czecho-Slovak colony to visit them. When I arrived, 
in company of General Vaitoianu, Governor of Bess- 
arabia, we found in the hall a lot of people, including 
many young ladies, all in white, who immediately com- 



ADVICE TO BESSARABIANS 263 

menced to sing national songs, Czecho-Slovak, American 
and Roumanian. Speeches were made by several, among 
them General Vaitoianu and myself. The Czecho- 
slovaks, under the leadership of Captain Cerensky, were 
glad that I brought the governor with me, as that gave 
them an assurance that they would be well treated. 

While it was not decided positively in February, 1918, 
as to where the Czecho-Slovak army then at Zitomir and 
Kiev would be sent, it was hoped that they would come 
to Roumania and Bessarabia, and Captain Cerensky 
made preparation for their accommodations. He also 
arranged for the hiring of other Czecho-Slovaks from 
Southern Russia, who should report to Major General 
Trojanov (Pragen), to reinforce the Roumanians on the 
border of Southern Ukrainia against the Germans. He 
was financed by the French military attache, who did 
this at my suggestion. Captain Cerensky had a very good 
organization, but before he could use it the war ended. 

Couriers were frequently sent from the Czecho- 
slovak troops in Russia, who passed through Jassy on 
their way to Prague, where they delivered their reports 
to their government. Naturally, as they had to pass 
through the Bolshevik lines, they had to be effectively 
disguised. These men would call on me at the Legation 
in Jassy, and at first it was surprising and even some- 
what alarming, when Lieutenant somebody of the 
Czecho-Slovak army was announced, to be confronted 
by a ragged, dirty, unshaved individual personifying 
Bolshevism to the limit. But he would make a rip 
somewhere in his clothing and produce a little wad of 
paper, which, being unrolled, would prove to be credentials 
issued by the proper authorities, and I soon became 
accustomed to these unkempt visitors. 



264 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

The next day we returned to Bucharest. To my 
astonishment, I received newspapers of Kishenev in 
which it was stated that I had promised to the Rou- 
manians that the United States would give them every- 
thing they wanted, and on the strength of this, the 
Senate and the House of Deputies had passed resolu- 
tions personally thanking my country and President 
Wilson and myself for this great favor. 

I immediately went to the king and told him that 
this proceeding in the parliament was not proper, and 
that I had not expected that anything like this would be 
allowed by the officers of the parliament without first 
consulting me. I then published in the papers what I 
really had said, which was of course different from the 
report brought by the Kishenev papers. 

To my great pleasure, two days after my return, I 
received a telegram from my government, in which the 
government consented to giving Transylvania, Buko- 
wina and Banat to Roumania, as it was proved to our 
government that the great majority of the people living 
in these three counties were Roumanians. So the news 
from Kishenev, although false at first, was true after all. 

The announcement was not made by me, but by 
my government in Washington. At the same time the 
Roumanian charge d'affaires telegraphed the happy 
news to the Roumanian government in Jassy. The 
king sent a telegram of thanks to Washington, and 
the queen thanked me personally, and sent me her 
picture, on which she wrote, ** Thanks to Mr. Vopicka 
for the work he has done for Roumania." The military 
band and crowds of people came to the Legation and 
cheered for the United States, for President Wilson and 
for myself. It was the happiest day of their existence. 



ADVICE TO BESSARABIANS 265 

Many streets in the principal cities in Roumania were 
named after President Wilson, many restaurants and 
hotels changed their names to Wilson, and many babies 
were christened Wilson. 

Of course, at that time the Roumanians did not 
know whether the whole of Banat was given to them, 
or only part, and they were celebrating as if it were the 
whole. When, later on, it was found that that part 
called Torondal was given to Serbia by the Peace Com- 
mission, they were surprised and angry. They claimed 
that Banat had a majority of Roumanians, and that 
they should therefore receive Banat entirely. 

While it is probable that if a vote had been taken 
throughout the whole of Banat, the majority would 
have been for Roumania, the Peace Commission decided 
that Banat should be divided into two parts, Torondal, 
situated directly opposite Belgrade, the Serbian Capitol, 
where the majority of the people were Serbians, and 
the remainder comprising another part which was 
overwhelmingly Roumanian. After this decision was 
made by the Peace Commission, the Roumanians began 
to object; public meetings were held everywhere, and 
protests sent to Paris. The people who were most 
opposed to the division were the Transylvanians. 

Many reasons were given why Torondal should 
belong to Roumania. As a matter of fact, Torondal 
is the richest part of Banat, and the richest agricultur- 
al section in Europe, and therefore it is no wonder 
that such a great fight was made for it. Threats were 
made against the Serbians that they would be attacked 
by the Roumanians if they did not cease their claims 
to Torondal, and the controversy became one of the 
reasons why the Roumanian Liberal government resigned. 



266 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

For a time the situation was so acute that there was 
danger of breaking relations between the AUies and 
Roumania. 

The Roumanians put all the blame for the division 
on President Wilson, claiming that the French and 
English representatives had so informed them. I had 
daily arguments with them, claiming that the whole Peace 
Commission was responsible for it, because the Com- 
mission consisted of representatives of all the Allies, so 
that all the Allies were equally responsible and not the 
Americans alone. 

{November 6.) We have remitted the following note 
to Mr. Marghiloman: 

"According to information worthy of belief, a train 
loaded with ammunition destined to the occupied ter- 
ritory, was recently made ready to be dispatched. It 
is our duty to call the most serious attention of the 
Roumanian government to the fact that it would be a 
great responsibility for them, in the new situation result- 
ing from the fighting of the Allied troops and the German 
troops in the occupied territory, if they should indirectly 
help the enemy or fail to prevent, by every means in 
their power, any action of the Central Powers which, 
by threatening the public order in Roumania, would 
risk bringing on counteraction by the Allies. 

"We consider as dangerous the audacious propaganda 
undertaken by the Austro-German agents, in the oc- 
cupied territory as well as in Moldavia, intended to create 
a state of anarchy which would complicate the task of 
the Allies the day the necessities of the war compel 
them to enter the occupied territory to follow the enemy. 
In case the most energetic means are not used to stop 




Reception by King Ferdinand I of Roumania, of Ameri- 
can Minister Vopicka, Military Attache Colonel 
Yates, and Colonel Anderson of the American Red 
Cross, on the Steps of the Royal Palace in Jassy 



ADVICE TO BESSARABIANS 267 

this propaganda, we wall decline any responsibility as 
regards the steps taken by the staff of the Allied troops 
in this matter." 

The tone of this document was intended to give the 
Marghiloman cabinet a reason for resisting the demands 
and actions of the Germans, and also to make the situ- 
ation of the cabinet unstable, in anticipation of the 
formation of an Ententist government. The Marghilo- 
man cabinet had entirely ceased, for some time, sending 
to the occupied territory ammunition for the Roumanian 
detachments, as called for in the treaty of Bucharest. 

As regards the Bolshevik propaganda, Mr. Marghilo- 
man is suspected of resisting it indifferently. This 
tolerance is explained by the desire to placate General 
Averescu, who enjoys great popularity among the 
peasants and laborers. Mr. Marghiloman's acts are 
merely to outdo Mr. Bratiano, who would be dangerous 
to the Marghiloman party. General Averescu shows 
Ententist leanings, notwithstanding he is being backed 
by the press of Bucharest. This attitude of his seems 
to indicate that he is still in some kind of an under- 
standing with von Mackensen. 

In the new situation, now that Roumania is about 
to be freed by the Allied troops, the Entente cannot 
agree that the government should effect international 
acts of importance without their consent, even though 
it is alleged that they have obtained privileges from the 
Germans, these privileges being really due to the victory 
of the Allies. This is an unamicable proceeding, which 
tends to mislead the public regarding the real causes 
of the legitimate satisfaction that Roumania is expecting 
for her sacrifices in the interests of the Entente. In 
these circumstances, the Allies can in no way trust the 
existing government. 



268 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

The Marghiloman cabinet has resigned in conse- 
quence, and has been immediately replaced by a minis- 
try of generals and functioners under the presidency of 
General Coanda, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs. 
General Grigoresco has been appointed Minister of War, 
and General Vaitoianu Minister of the Interior. 

General Coanda has immediately gotten in touch 
with us. He states that the king had given him instruc- 
tions that he should only act in accordance with us. 
As regards the sending of police troops to Bukowina, 
we have given our consent, as this is absolutely necessary 
in fighting against the Bolshevik propaganda during the 
Roumanian mobilization. 

General Coanda states that von Mackensen has 
notified him that if the retreat of the German troops 
was in any way being hindered by the Allies or the 
Roumanians, he would proceed with plans of destruction, 
and that all necessary measures had been taken to this 
effect. It is our duty to repeat once more that our 
request in regard to preventing as much as possible the 
devastations of the enemy in Roumania has never been 
answered. General Coanda has added that without 
openly breaking off with the Germans, who are still 
masters of the present local situation, he is urging the 
preparations for mobilization in the hope that, with the 
help of the Allied troops, they might be able to prevent 
the retreat of the Germans. 

The Prime Minister has called our attention to the 
food situation, and has requested us to obtain imme- 
diate aid from our governments in order to remedy the 
conditions of famine created by the Germans. As 
regards the indicated quantities needed and the means 
of effecting this aid, the Minister of the United States 



ADVICE TO BESSARABIANS 269 

has sent another telegram to his government, whose 
aid seems the most imperative. Likewise, the French 
Minister has brought the matter to the attention of 
the armies of the Orient, requesting them to send imme- 
diately whatever they can. Confirming our previous 
unanswered telegrams regarding the matter of responsi- 
bility of the Entente, if they do not quickly remedy the 
sufferings of Roumania, due to having fought on our 
side, the Roumanians will soon be unable to give us 
any help whatever. 

{November 7.) The king has expressed his desire to 
justify the resignation of the Marghiloman cabinet by 
the actions of the Entente, and we have remitted to 
him a statement of our last grievance, i. e., the sending 
to Bukowina, without our consent, of police troops at 
the request of the National Committee of that province, 
for the purpose of keeping order against the Bolsheviki. 

{November 8.) Von Mackensen has informed the 
Roumanian government that after the city of Constanza 
had been cleared of the German troops, it was occupied 
by the Bulgarian troops. We request that this news, 
which produces the most disastrous impression and is 
absolutely contrary to our official statements, especially 
to the statement made by the English Minister in accord- 
ance with his instructions, be immediately denied or 
explained. 

In this case, it will be necessary to take into account 
the indications we have given in our previous telegrams 
regarding the precautions to be taken to weaken the 
effect made by the presence of Bulgarian troops in 
Dobrudja, if for military reasons their provisional 
help cannot be avoided. We also request that in case 
such decisions have to be taken, we are immediately 



270 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

informed and furnished explanations, in order to avoid 
as much as possible a bad impression. In the same 
statement, von Mackensen has repeated and empha- 
sized his former threats of destruction if the retreating 
German troops are molested by the Allies or the Rou- 
manians. 

Before I left for my post, in 1913, I was visited 
by many prominent Jews of America, and before my 
departure I had a conference with the Jewish leaders 
in New York, regarding the condition of the Jews in 
Roumania. They all complained that the Roumanian 
Jews were regarded and treated as slaves, that our coun- 
try was disposed to better those conditions, and that 
under the leadership of America the Jewish question 
should be settled, so that the Jews would obtain not 
only their liberty but equality with the other inhabitants 
of Roumania. 

Soon after I arrived in Bucharest and had been 
received as Minister of the United States to Roumania, 
I began an investigation to ascertain why so few Jewish 
subjects of that country were permitted to become 
citizens, and why so much ill feeling existed against 
them. I even spoke to King Carol and to the present 
King Ferdinand concerning it. King Carol said to me: 

''The Jews are better educated than the Roumanians, 
so we must first build schools where our own people 
may be taught. Then in twenty years the Roumanians 
will be well enough educated to vote on the question of 
whether or not the Jews shall be admitted to citizenship." 

To this I answered: ''That is too long a time. 
Neither you nor I will have a chance to see that reform." 

When Roumania entered the war, in August, 1916» 



ADVICE TO BESSARABIANS 271 

the Jewish question became more acute than ever, for 
many Jews were charged with being German spies, and 
many were arrested and interned and their property 
confiscated. I took the part of the Jews, defended them 
before the Roumanian government, and succeeded in 
having many of them freed and their property returned 
to them. 

The most important matter in connection with the 
Jewish situation developed in 1917, when the seat of 
the Roumanian government was in Jassy. When I 
arrived there, September 16, Mr. Moritz Wachtel, 
President of the Banca Moldavia, informed me that 
he could furnish proof that Jewish soldiers in the Rou- 
manian service were taken from their various regiments 
and placed in the front lines, so that they would be the 
first to get killed; also that they were inhumanly treated 
by Roumanian officers and soldiers alike, and that they 
failed to receive advancement or any reward for heroic 
conduct. On the other hand. Prime Minister Bratiano 
and other Roumanian officials complained that many 
Jewish soldiers were deserters and German spies. 

The king told me that he would favor a decree con- 
ferring citizenship on all Jews serving in the army, but 
at the same time he stated that many Jewish soldiers 
were deserters. I suggested that if they were given 
equal rights it might not be so. Later, I investigated 
these charges and countercharges and became satis- 
fied that the Jewish soldiers were badly treated by some 
officers, and also that the accusation that many of them 
were deserters was true. 

Early in November, 1918, information reached me 
that the Roumanians were preparing a pogrom to start 
on the 12th of that month. A young lawyer from 

IS 



272 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Bucharest sent me a letter in which he appealed to me 
to use what influence I had to stop the threatened 
pogrom. When I was convinced that I had sufficient 
evidence to justify prompt action, I prepared a letter 
to the Prime Minister, General Coanda, in which I 
called attention to the expected pogrom, and asked 
that he take steps to stop it at once. To assure prompt 
compliance, I delivered the letter personally, and I 
told the Minister that my country had entered the war 
solely for the sake of humanity, that if Roumania should 
start killing the Jews, she should not expect anything 
from the Peace Conference, and that most likely I would 
be obliged to quit my post, as my government would not 
overlook such an outrage. 

General Coanda assured me he would do everything 
in his power to avert the massacre, that he would im- 
mediately give orders by telegraph, and that where 
there was no telegraphic communication he would send 
messengers. A few weeks later he told me that the 
Germans had made the preparations for the pogrom in 
order to discredit Roumania before the world and the 
Peace Conference. Pogroms were started on the 12th 
of November in Braila and Bucharest, but were sup- 
pressed by the military authorities. 

Whenever I had a chance to speak to the king or 
to the Roumanian ministers concerning the Jews, I 
urged that citizenship and equal rights be given them, 
and argued that that course would be the best, not only 
for them, but also for Roumania. A decree finally was 
proclaimed, purporting to confer such rights, and I sub- 
mitted it for an opinion to my counsel, who reported 
that it contained what some people are pleased to term 
a "joker." and that it was of very little, if any, value. 



ADVICE TO BESSARABIANS 273 

I therefore suggested to the Jewish Committee that 
the members call upon the Prime Minister, and ask for 
a new decree which would be so clear as not to be subject 
to an unfavorable construction. I also appealed to the 
government. In the early part of May, 1919, the new 
decree was issued, and this, according to the opinion of 
a Jewish lawyer and the Jewish Committee, was clear 
and satisfactory, assuring citizenship to all Jews born in 
Roumania and equal rights with other subjects of that 
country. 

During the war, the Jews, like the other inhabitants 
of Moldavia, especially in Jassy, suffered from scarcity 
of food, and at this critical time the American Joint 
Distribution Committee of New York came to their 
rescue, and sent them many thousands of dollars, with 
which provisions were bought under my supervision. 
This society deserves great credit for the diminution of 
misery among the Jews at that time. 

In the month of December I received a cable from 
the Department of State at Washington, instructing me 
to investigate a report that a new pogrom against the 
Jews was to be started in Bessarabia. I immediately 
sent two men to investigate, and they informed me that 
there were no indications of any trouble. After receiving 
this report, I laid the matter before King Ferdinand, 
who assured me that the Bessarabian Jews had no reason 
to be fearful, and that all precautionary measures neces- 
sary for their future protection would be taken. This 
was satisfactory to me, and, in fact, no trouble occurred. 



CHAPTER XXV 

KING FERDINAND CABLES PRESIDENT WILSON — 
CESSATION OF ALL HOSTILITIES 

AFTER November 1, 1918, I frequently talked the 
military situation over with Colonel Yates, our 
military attache. We both agreed that Roumania 
should enter the war again for the benefit of the Allies. 
After the resignation of the Marghiloman cabinet, there 
was nothing to keep the Roumanians from adopting this 
course, and I therefore obtained an audience with the 
King on November 9, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, in 
which I stated that it was not only in the interest of the 
Allies, but for the great interest of Roumania as well, 
to enter the war again before the armistice, of which 
there was now so much talk. 

The king thought well of it and called in Prince 
Stirbey, with whom he usually conferred. After an 
hour of consideration, it was agreed that a meeting of 
the Entente ministers and the Prime Minister be called 
for 6 o'clock the same evening. The meeting was held 
at 6:30, and it was decided to immediately give the 
Germans twenty-four hours' notice, and that after the 
expiration of that time Roumania would consider herself 
at war again with the Central Powers. 

This was done with enthusiasm, which was greatly 
accentuated when the French Minister announced the 
receipt of a telegram notifying him of the arrival at 
the Danube River of the Allied troops under command 
of General Berthelot, who was known to be a staunch 
friend of Roumania. At the same time mobilization of 

274 




Queen Marie at thi-: ("am,: 

American Red Cross in Jassy with Colo- 
nel Anderson 




Members of the American Red Cross Commission, and 
Doctors and Nurses for Roumania, at Jassy 



CESSATION OF ALL HOSTILITIES 275 

the army was ordered, so Roumania had actually re- 
entered the war before the general armistice. 

The new declaration of war was a great surprise to 
the Germans in Bucharest, who seemed to think their 
position there absolutely secure. They had arranged 
for a repetition of a performance the following day in the 
Roumanian National Theatre but it was never given, as 
the troops were in too great haste to leave the city. 

The king's joy was great, and he sent the following 
telegram to our President: 

Mr. Wilson, President of the United States, 

Washington. 

At the same time that we received your govermnent's wonder- 
ful message concerning Roumania and the Roumanian people, 
we heard of the Allied troops' arrival on the Danube. After 
long and unheard of sufferings and humiliations, we are at last 
able to act again. 

The Roumanian people have taken up their arms, and with 
the support of their faithful Allies they are looking forward to 
accomplishing their national ideal. 

In these moments our grateful thoughts are directed towards 
America, who entered this war for the cause of justice and 
humanity of all nations. 

Ferdinand. 

On the 10th of November I was awakened early in 
the morning by the music of a military band and the 
noise of a great crowd, who congregated before the 
Legation and cheered for the United States, President 
Wilson and myself. Later in the day I was invited by 
the French Minister to come to his Legation, and there 
I met the Ministers of Great Britain and Italy. On 
the outside the band was playing and speeches were 
made. 

All were filled with joy that mobilization was actually 
ordered, and that the Roumanians were again to march 



276 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

with the AlHes, and we, the four Allied ministers, 
realized that the Roumanians had moral and political 
right behind their claims, for Roumania had done all 
in her power to aid the Allies in the great war, and had 
helped them to gain the victory. 

The king had immediately answered the appeal of 
General Berthelot, without hesitation and without 
awaiting the further news that the Danube had been 
crossed by the Allied troops. 

We realized that in the present miserable state of 
Roumania, the immediate value of the mobilization was 
mainly its moral effect. But we believed that as the 
Allies were gradually able to aid them, the Roumanian 
help would become of great importance. 

Late in the afternoon of November 11, the wireless 
gave us the glad tidings of the armistice. Immediately 
all else was forgotten, and the people poured into the 
streets from the public buildings and offices, and from 
their homes. Parades were formed, bands played and 
the people sang and cheered. Owing to the abruptness 
of the announcement, there was but little opportunity 
for orderly demonstration, but there was no friction, as 
all were too happy to care how much they were pushed 
and jostled. 

There was but one note of disappointment, and that 
was that the enemy would probably not receive adequate 
punishment for the suffering the Roumanians had 
undergone. Bratiano and Take Jonescu voiced the 
popular sentiment of all Roumania when they stated 
that instead of an armistice, it would have been far better 
if the Allies had marched their armies to Berlin. 

{November 13.) We, the four Ministers of the Allies, 
have sent to the Peace Commission our views as follows. 



CESSATION OF ALL HOSTILITIES 277 

As regards the peace conditions the preliminary points 
to which the agreement of the Allies should be obtained 
are: 

(1) Unity of representation of Russia at the Peace 
Conference, with exclusion of the Bolshevik delegates 
and territorial groups who have other views than the 
aim of the voluntary army. 

(2) Annulment of political and economical treaties 
with Germany and her allies; reestablishment of the 
rights that have been attacked by these treaties; indem- 
nity of damages caused in this way; restitution of the 
gold, the military and commercial fleet, the equipment, 
railroad material, etc., and the sending of exports of 
foods and material from Russia. This demand does 
not regard the treaties with the Entente Powers. 

(3) Removal of the troops of Germany and her 
allies from the Russian territory according to the borders 
in 1914, including Finland. It is also considered wise 
to make a similar demand as regards Poland. 

(4) The occupation of the principal railroad centers 
and other places of military importance in the Russian 
territory, now occupied by the German and Austro- 
Hungarian armies, by Russian forces, or provisionally 
by the Allies until the necessary Russian detachments 
have been formed. 

(5) The immediate exchange of prisoners. 

(6) The engagement on the part of Germany and 
her allies not to prevent in any way the reestablishment 
of a strong and lasting State organization in Russia. 

Mr. Poklewsky, Minister of Russia, has been intro- 
duced to us as a representative of the voluntary army 
formed by Alexeieff, at present under the command of 
General Denikine. We understand that this army is the 



278 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

only national force that can be a basis for the recon- 
stitution of Russia with the help of the Entente. 

Mr. Poklewsky states that it is absolutely necessary 
for Allied troops to be sent to Russia, and especially to 
Ukrainia, as quickly as possible after the departure of 
the German troops, in order to check the spread of 
Bolshevism. The Ukrainians are in deadly fear of this 
element. 

The Roumanian government has stopped all move- 
ments of troops at the time stipulated by Marshal Foch. 
This order has been maintained wherever there were 
enemy military forces, but the government has notified 
us of the necessity of interfering wherever anarchy has 
been created by the Germans, where the Roumanian 
population asks for help, especially in Bukowina and 
Transylvania, where excesses have been committed by 
the Austrian and Hungarian Bolsheviki. We have 
advised the Roumanian government that the order of 
Marshal Foch applied only to strictly military opera- 
tions and not to police operations. 

{November 20.) The Committee of Dobrudja has 
sent us an address requesting our intercedence with our 
governments to hurry the departure of the Bulgarian 
troops and authorities from Dobrudja, in order to make 
it possible for the refugee population in Moldavia and 
Bessarabia to return to their homes. 

The delegates of the National Committee of Transyl- 
vania have come to Jassy to notify us, and also the 
Roumanian government, of their decision to proclaim 
their union with Roumania as soon as the Transylvania 
unities which are being formed shall be strong enough 
for protection against the Hungarian troops. 

A new appeal to our governments by the Russian 




First Trip of Minister Vopicka to Address the Russian 
Soldiers near Galatz, Roumania, with Roumanian Min- 
ister A. CONSTANTINESCU, AMERICAN MILITARY ATTACHE 

Colonel Yates, Colonel Glasgow and Major Flexner, 
Members of the American Red Cross, with Generals 
and Officers of Roumanian and Russian Armies 




Russian Military Headquarters at Ajud, Roumania 



CESSATION OF ALL HOSTILITIES 279 

delegates has been received. We again urge the neces- 
sity of interference. This will prove easier and more 
efficient if effected as soon as possible. 

We have advised our governments as follows: 

(1) That the Ukrainians have organized a rebellion 
in the district of Kiev in which nationalists, anarchists 
and Bolsheviki have taken part. 

(2) That this rebellion is the more dangerous, because, 
owing to the complete disintegration of the Austro- 
German troops, the invasion of the Bolshevik army in 
the country might spread considerably. 

(3) That the Bolshevik troops threaten especially 
the northern border of Ukrainia. . 

(4) That in case of the realization of this threat 
the rich collieries of the Don district, which are of the 
greatest importance to the transportation lines, also the 
factories and military depots, will consequently fall into 
the hands of the Bolsheviki, which might result in the 
complete control of Ukrainia by the Bolsheviki. 

We think it will be necessary to take the foUowmg 
steps: 

(1) To send immediately Inter- Allied troops, even a 
small number v/ill be sufficient, to occupy Kiev and 
Charkhow. 

(2) To make a clear statement conveying the firm 
decision of the Allies to help the orderly elements in 
Russia. 

(3) To advise the German government that the Allies 
will hold the Germans responsible for any aid to the 
rebellious troops, either by selling or giving them arms, 
or for any attempt to use the arms at the depot of Kiev. 

Failing immediate action to suppress the rebellion 



280 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

with greater forces within a short time, this situation 
might require a campaign lasting several months. 

{November 21.) The Roumanian government has 
delivered us the following, with a request to transmit 
it to our governments: 

"The German troops that are still in Roumania do 
not respect the conditions imposed by the armistice, 
in fact, said troops are devastating the territory they 
leave, and especially they blow up the bridges, thus 
rendering the communications and the feeding of the 
population impossible. In the occupied territory they 
are taking away all provisions, furniture, and animals. 
These things which are being taken away from the poor 
population are being sold in Transylvania." 

In consequence, the Roumanian government requests 
our governments to put in a protest to this effect with 
the German government, and get them to consent that 
a commission be formed, composed of Allied and Rou- 
manian officers, to watch the retreat of the German 
troops in Transylvania, in order to avoid the repetition 
of the above mentioned. 

The following note has been received from the 
Roumanian government: 

"The Roumanian government has been delighted 
to see in the assurances relative to Dobrudja the favor- 
able intentions and feelings of the Allies towards Rou- 
mania. 

"Roumania has never feared that any part of her 
territory might be sacrificed to the benefit of the enemy 
on the day of the victory of the Entente, because she 
remained on the side of the Allies even in the most try- 
ing moments. The immediate nullification of the treaty 
of Bucharest confirmed our confidence. 



CESSATION OF ALL HOSTILITIES 281 

"We watch with gratitude the friendly efforts with 
which the Inter-Allied staff endeavor to hasten the 
liberation of the Northern province from the invaders, 
who have destroyed the work of half a century of civili- 
zation by fire, blood and robbery. 

"It is, however, necessary to extend without delay, 
in conformity with the conditions of the general armistice, 
the measures extended by the Allied command to the 
territory of the country in 1914. 

"The interests of the people demand the prompt 
return of civic administrations in the whole province, 
as prescribed by the armistice conditions for all the 
countries freed of the enemy. 

"It is just and natural that the Roumanian army 
should participate in the execution of the necessary 
measures for this operation and help the Allied command 
therein, as it would be a great danger if the available 
troops were not sufficient. 

"To this effect, the stafif of the Roumanian troops 
has received orders to take the necessary steps in order 
to act with the Allied troops." 

{November 22.) The Hetman of Ukrainia has asked 
us to notify our governments that he has issued a mani- 
festo to the people of Ukrainia, to unite all the national 
forces in working for the reconstruction of Russia on the 
basis of Federal arrangements. 

{November 24.) We have held a meeting with the 
Russian delegates, who inform us that it is absolutely 
necessary that about 150,000 men should be sent imme- 
diately to Russia to reinforce Denikine's army. 

{November 26.) The Roumanian government has 
complained to us that the manner in which the Russian 
prisoners from Germany are sent through their country 



282 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

is very dangerous, because these prisoners are in a state 
of indescribable misery, all of them either suffering from 
contagious diseases or in such a condition that they 
should not be allowed to travel at all, and the govern- 
ment has asked us to intervene with the German author- 
ities, in order that these transports shall be made under 
better circumstances. 







Minister Vopicka vSpeaking to Russian Soldiers in 
Suc^AVA, Asking Them to Remain in the Trenches 
AND Keep on Fighting 




Minister Vopicka Addressing Russian Soldiers 




Scene on the Way to the Trenches Occupied by 
Russian Troops in Roumania 



CHAPTER XXVIII 

PROCLAMATION IN BUCHAREST OF GENERAL BERTHELOT — 
GREAT DANGER OF FAMINE 

TO celebrate the victory of the Entente, I had 
arranged a dinner for Thanksgiving Day, Novem- 
ber 28, to which I invited Her Majesty the Queen, and 
I had a promise from her that she would attend. How- 
ever, at eleven o'clock on that day, I was notified that 
I must be at the depot with my personnel at 12:30, 
and to my great sorrow I had to leave for Bucharest 
and the dinner had to be given up. 

On account of the broken bridges, hurriedly repaired, 
the trip from Jassy to Bucharest, instead of nine and 
one-half hours, took forty-eight hours. When the Court 
and the ministers arrived at Bucharest, the legations 
were not in condition to be occupied, and the city author- 
ities rented temporary quarters for each minister in a 
public hotel. 

The seals on the doors of our Legation were broken, 
chests and trunks had been opened, and many articles 
of value belonging to me and to my diplomatic friends 
had been stolen. The value of the stolen property was 
more than 100,000 gold francs. 

We found the following proclamation published in 
Bucharest by General Berthelot: 

With the permission of the king, I order all the military and 
civil authorities to fulfill the following measures: 

The Prefects, Procurors, Gendarme Officers and Mayors 
will assure quietness and order, forming guard posts with the 
men under arms and the reserve officers. All agitators will be 
immediately arrested. All German, Austrian and Hungarian 
subjects will be put under observation. 

283 



284 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

The proclamation of the king, government and myself will 
be immediately affixed. 

All traces of the late occupation must be removed. All 
German, Hungarian and Bulgarian inscriptions will be destroyed. 
All postal and fiscal stamps of the late German occupation will 
be taken from circulation. 

In each locality commissions will be formed for the control 
and assurance of food for the population. 

In the petroleum regions, commissions will be formed for 
the control of the production and working of petroleum. All 
petroleum products will be considered as requisitioned in the 
hands of the actual producers and holders. 

The exporting of any kinds of food, clothing, petroleum, wood, 
etc., is prohibited. 

There will be established in the shortest possible time all 
communications (railroads, telegraph and telephone lines). Men 
will be concentrated from their homes and will be organized in 
gangs of workers under reserve officers. 

The Procurors and Judges of Instruction will prove up all 
destruction and violation of rights by the enemy, and will for- 
ward the records promptly. 

Physicians will report through the Prefects the sanitary 
conditions and the need of medicines. 

A service of daily couriers will be immediately established 
between all the Prefectures and the headquarters of the army 
at Giurgiu. 

Until new dispensations, I fix the rate of exchange of 100 
francs at 140 lei. 

These dispensations remain in force until later dispensations 
of the Roumanian government. 

They will be posted in all towns and villages. 

Berthelot. 

The people in Bucharest were dazed when they 
saw their king and the diplomatic corps again in their 
capital. For two years the Germans had occupied 
Bucharest, and it was only three weeks before that 
they had played German pieces in the Roumanian 
national theatres. Today their king came back with 
the army, and the people appreciated the great boon 



PROCLAMATION OF GENERAL BERTHELOT 285 

of victory. They felt that they were again at home 
and rulers of their own country. 

The entire city was decorated with the National 
and the Allied flags, and there was a great parade, which 
marched from the square in front of the building of 
the Minister of Foreign Affairs through the city. The 
procession was headed by the king and by General 
Berthelot and other prominent generals, Roumanian, 
English, Italian and French. There were a great many 
Roumanian soldiers, a few regiments of French, and 
some English and Italian troops. The United States 
was not represented by officers or soldiers, although I 
am sure that the people would have preferred to see 
the American soldiers first. I felt that the Americans 
had more friends than any other nation, as when Colonel 
Yates and myself passed in our automobile, we received 
the greatest and heartiest ovation of all. 

{December 7.) The Russian delegates have impressed 
upon us the necessity of an immediate declaration to 
the Bolsheviki, and the French Consul in Kiev has been 
directed to formulate such a declaration in our name, 
as follows: 

'*So far we have not been notified as to what the 
Entente will do regarding the Bolsheviki in Russia. 

"The Entente has proclaimed that a patriotic organ- 
ization shoiuld be established in Russia, which will be 
aided by the Allies. The regeneration of Russia, as 
one of the victorious democratic powers of the Entente, 
will be accomplished, as it is the wish of all patriots 
and those who desire preservation of order there. 

"More especially in Southern Russia, occupied or 
unoccupied, and threatened by Bolshevism, the Entente 
powers are willing to preserve order. This decision will 



286 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

be executed without great delay. The Entente will 
from now on consider all leaders of parties or organiza- 
tions personally responsible, whatever their politics may 
be, for any agitation spreading trouble and anarchy. 

"The Consul of Kiev declares that in the meantime, 
before the Entente troops come, the Hetman and his 
government are expected to keep order in the cities and 
province. The Entente troops do not wish to come to 
Russia in the role of gendarmes or enemies. They will 
come as friends of the people, who during the last two 
years have been fighting in the same ranks with them. 
The Entente advises that they will punish riots." 

{December 11.) We have received a letter from the 
French Consul in Kishenev as follows: 

"Several French and Allied concerns in Ukrainia 
have applied to me for protection against robbery by 
the Bolsheviki, especially the society called Groshanatz 
in Podoli. General Berthelot, as chief of the Allied forces 
in Southern Russia, declares that he will hold all the 
Bolsheviki and their accomplices responsible for any 
damages done to subjects of the Entente, or to the 
interests of the Allies, and that they will be severely 
punished." 

(December 13.) We have notified our governments 
that several Polish people came to us and informed us 
of the progress of Bolshevism in Galicia, and showed 
us the necessity of protection by the Allied troops. We 
have notified General Berthelot of this complaint. 

The king has asked Mr. Bratiano to form a new 
cabinet, and the new ministers at present in Bucharest 
have taken the oath of office. Mr. Bratiano is to be 
the Prime Minister, and will also retain the office of 
Minister of Foreign Affairs. To give this new govern- 




View of Kishenev in Bessarabia 




SiBivV OR Hermanstadt, in Transylvania 



PROCLAMATION OF GENERAL BERTHELOT 287 

ment national character, five places in the ministry, 
two of which are without portfolio, were offered to 
the party of Mr. Take Jonescu. 

{December 16.) A delegate of the National Tran- 
sylvanian Council has announced to the king the unan- 
imous vote for the union of Transylvania with Roumania. 
The delegation called on us to notify us of the event, 
and was received with great enthusiasm, and in 
their honor many celebrations were arranged, in which 
we took part. 

{December 18.) When we arrived at Bucharest we 
found that the Germans had taken all the supplies of 
food and clothing with them. There was nothing in 
the market and the people were in very deep misery. 
There was no wood in the city, and the government 
feared a great calamity. 

The minister in charge of supplies visited us this 
morning to represent the gravity of the situation due 
to the extreme shortage of provisions. His Excellency 
stated that there were at the most 10,000 tons of wheat 
and 30,000 tons of maize in the country. This amount of 
wheat might last for twenty days, and the maize might 
last for two months, if there were no difficulties of trans- 
portation, which, however, are very great. This state 
of things was. His Excellency added, the more alarming 
in view of the Bolshevism by which Roumania was 
surrounded and menaced. There are agitators at work, 
whose cry is, ** During the German occupation we had 
bread, now we have none." 

The Roumanian government earnestly begs the Allied 
governments, in view of the extreme urgency of the 
matter, to take steps at once to send from their own 
stores, the nearer the better, possibly from Alexandria, 

19 



288 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

30,000 tons of wheat. Wheat, furnishing the staple 
food of the towns, where Bolshevism is more to be feared 
than in the country, is more essential than maize for the 
moment. We consider the matter so urgent that we 
beg that no question may be raised as to the mode of 
payment, such questions having caused great delay in 
the past. Naturally the Roumanian government will 
consider itself liable for the cost. I wrote a special 
telegram to my government asking that relief be sent 
as soon as possible. 

{December 20.) The Parliament of Bessarabia, which 
on the 27th of March had voted the union with Rou- 
mania, but now, under reservation of liberal autonomy, 
votes a union without any reserve. It can be noted 
by the sense of the declaration that they have full faith 
that grand Roumania is a democratic country. 

(December 23.) Mr. Bratiano, the Prime Minister, 
has asked us to send another appeal to our governments 
for food and relief, because he fears that Roumania, 
which all through the war has resisted the Bolshevik 
influence, might now offer a new home for it if the 
famine is not immediately remedied. To his request 
we add that the situation is very serious and calls for 
immediate remedy. 

To show that the tears of the Prime Minister were 
justified, a great riot took place in Bucharest, in which 
a mob, consisting of anarchists, Bolsheviki and other 
dissatisfied elements, surrounded the royal palace and 
shouted, "Down with the king! Down with the royal 
family! Hurrah for the republic!" The guard which is 
usually at the palace did nothing until a shot was fired 
from the crowd and wounded two of the soldiers, and 
at this, without orders, the soldiers fired and killed 



PROCLAMATION OF GENERAL BERTHELOT 289 

and wounded about fifty persons, and the crowd was 
dispersed. All the public places including theatres and 
moving picture shows were closed for nearly two weeks. 
The police arrested many people, among whom they 
found numerous Russian and German agitators who 
had tried to establish Bolshevism in Roumania. After 
this it seemed that the Bolshevik agitation ceased 
for some time. 

{December 31.) We have telegraphed our respective 
governments that the food situation becomes more and 
more alarming, and that if the Allies do not remedy it 
without delay, this misery will cause worse troubles 
than those of last week. If they do not from now on 
announce that help is on the way, the people, who are 
dying from hunger, will charge the Allies with responsi- 
bility for great suffering, notwithstanding the satisfaction 
given to the national aspirations. 

They repeat that the Allies do not take into con- 
sideration the fact that the worst situation among all 
the Allied nations exists in Roumania, as she was entirely 
devastated by the Germans and the Russians, and is 
the only country which was completely isolated for 
fifteen months. During the occupation, she could not 
be supplied, as Belgium was, by the United States. 

We urge and we beg in the name of humanity, as 
well as for the political and economic interests of our 
countries, that part of the relief be sent as soon as possi- 
ble. We also hope that this help will not be delayed 
on account of financial arrangements, as happened last 
year. It is only to be considered that food must be 
sent immediately, and payment arranged later. 

The official Moniteur, dated the 26th, publishes the 
new decree of law, which confirms the union of Tran- 



290 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

sylvania and Banat with the kingdom of Roumania, as 
voted by the National Assembly of the Roumanians 
of Transylvania and Banat. 

{January 2, 1919.) A committee of Roumanian Jews 
came to me and asked me to obtain permission for some 
five thousand of them to go to Palestine, where they 
would be under the protection of the Allies. I obtained 
this permission from the Roumanian government, and 
then took up the affair with my colleagues, and we sent 
a joint telegram to our governments, asking whether the 
Allies are in favor of this move, and if they are, when 
and how these Jews could expect to be sent to Palestine. 

{January 7.) The Prime Minister has notified us 
that he received a telegram from Carnarvon, according 
to which Belgium and Serbia will be the only two lesser 
powers admitted to the Peace Conference with the 
four great powers. He said they hope that this infor- 
mation is not correct, and Mr. Bratiano added that he 
believes Roumania is regarded as an unfortunate deserv- 
ing pity, and not as an ally with full rights to justice. 
He said that if this be the truth, and Roumania should 
be left out, the government would be obliged to resign. 

Mr. Bratiano states that the Roumanians continued 
the fight as long as possible, and that even after the 
complete disintegration of Russia, and notwithstanding 
the hostility of that country, Roumania has fulfilled 
her duty to the Allies as far as she could. The suspension 
of activity, as a consequence of the Treaty of Bucharest, 
which has never been confirmed by the king, terminated 
as soon as the army in the Orient was able to take the 
place left vacant by the Russian army. The Royal 
government has no doubt that their treaty of the 17th 
of August, 1916, is fully valid. 




General Grigorescu 



i\ 



PROCLAMATION OF GENERAL BERTHELOT 291 

We have called the attention of our governments 
to the following facts: 

(1) As a result of circumstances, the Entente has 
not been able to keep her promise to Roumania of the 
17th of August, 1916. The offensive of Salonika, which 
was supposed to begin eight days before Roumania 
entered the war, was not started. Roumania continued 
to fight after the complete disintegration of Russia, 
whose aid had been guaranteed to her by the Entente, 
and although the new Russian government has declared 
war on her, the Allies having done nothing to remedy 
conditions or prevent this conflict. 

(2) It is absurd to compare the situation of 
Roumania with that of Serbia. War had been declared 
on Serbia, and she was forced to defend herself, but 
Roumania was led into the war by the promises of the 
Entente. Serbia has always been in communication 
with the Allies, who have accepted her government 
and her army, but Roumania has been in between two 
enemies, absolutely isolated, and it was impossible for 
the army to retreat to Russia, as is recognized by the 
Allied representatives. 

(3) We repeat that the Treaty of Bucharest has 
never had any legal value, as it was voted by an uncon- 
stitutional parliament, and has never been confirmed by 
the king, or ratified. 

{January 9.) Because the Bulgarians still occupy 
Dobrudja, although the Roumanians were granted the 
whole of that country, this is an additional difficulty 
for the government. 

{January 13.) We have received from an absolutely 
reliable source an extract of the protocol of the last 
meeting of the ministers in Budapest. This document 



292 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

seems to be too important not to be immediately com- 
municated to our governments. The text is as follows: 

"It is necessary to organize, as soon as possible, six 
infantry divisions and two cavalry divisions, also their 
artillery and technical formations, and start again to 
fight against the Czechs and the Roumanians. 

*'It cannot become worse, and the continuation of 
the fight, a guerilla war if necessary, will convince the 
Entente that peace can only be made here if the integ- 
rity of Hungary is safeguarded. The soldiers will be 
recruited among the best men, and it will be necessary 
to promise to them, also to their families, the greatest 
advantages. We are sure that we will get more soldiers 
than necessary to organize the eight divisions. I beg 
the chief commander of the army to take the necessary 
measures, in order that the army may be ready within 
three weeks. 

"The bulk of this army will be sent to Transylvania, 
where it will get in touch with the Hungarian popula- 
tion there and the socialists. The Hungarian socialists 
decided yesterday, the 24th of December, to send 30,000 
to 40,000 laborers, who have no work here, to Ardeal 
and Banat, to get the population on the side of the 
Hungarians and the Serbians. For this purpose they 
have received twenty millions from the government. 
There they will excite the population, massacre the 
small detachments of the Roumanian army of occupation, 
and start a guerilla war." 

{January 16.) We have sent the following letter to 
the Minister of Foreign Affairs: 

"According to the decree of law regarding the pay- 
ment of indemnity for damages caused by the war, all 
applications must be filed by the 7th of February. As 



PROCLAMATION OF GENERAL BERTHELOT 293 

it is impossible for us to notify all subjects of our coun- 
tries of this decree, we must respectfully request that 
the time for filing be extended." 

{January 19.) We are notified by the Roumanian 
government that Bulgaria is not keeping the terms of 
the armistice, as she is mobilizing more troops than 
allowed, that the Bulgarians take away all they can 
find in the way of supplies, and that the Roumanian 
government cannot enforce its rights in Dobrudja so 
long as the Bulgarians do not obey the terms of the 
armistice. We have sent a telegram to this effect to 
our respective governments. 

{January 20.) We have addressed a communication 
to the Prime Minister as follows: 

"It results from Article II of the decree of law, 
3795, paragraph 1 of the circular of the Ministry of the 
Interior 73,605 bis, dated December 21, 1918, that all 
the institutions and societies, etc., which were under 
sequestration in 1916, and which comprise, in any 
proportion, enemy interests, cannot claim any indemnities 
for war damages. 

"We beg to call the attention of the Roumanian 
government to the fact, that if it is its right to take 
these measures towards the enemy subjects, these 
measures should, however, not affect the interests of 
Allied or neutral subjects, 

"As regards the foreign enterprises in Roumania, 
the societies of enemy and other subjects should have 
been considered as legitimate before the entrance in the 
war of Roumania. In consequence, any measures taken 
towards such enterprises should preserve the rights of 
the Allied and neutral subjects. 

"We ask the government to execute the above 



294 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

named orders in conformity with these principles, which 
cannot be discussed. 

"We further ask that those who are in the above 
mentioned position be allowed to file their claims, and 
be granted the necessary time for it." 

{February 4.) A delegation of the Saxonian popula- 
tion, which forms the majority of the Germans in Tran- 
sylvania and Banat, came to Bucharest to proclaim 
that they are for the union with Roumania. These 
Saxonian delegates proclaimed that they have no interest 
in Germany, from which they have been separated for 
eight centuries. According to indications published 
here, the adherence of the Saxonians will give the Rou- 
manians the majority in Torondal also. 

The telegrams published in the press indicate that 
it has been decided in the most pro-Entente circles, 
that the question of Banat can only be settled after a 
close investigation, and after the removal of the Serbians 
from that country. According to our instructions, we 
have formulated our reservations regarding the occu- 
pation of the disputed territory, in stating that this 
occupation cannot prejudice the destiny of this territory. 

The Roumanian government has stated that, out of 
respect for the Entente, they did not occupy exclusively 
Roumanian districts in Transylvania, nor in Dobrudja 
which is part of the former national territory. The 
Minister of Foreign Affairs admits that it would have 
been better to have delayed the decree of law regarding 
the union of Transylvania until the decision of the 
Conference, but the present state of misery of the coun- 
try is such that national satisfactions are the only ones 
they can grant, and this is the best means of keeping 
the country free from Bolshevism. We must realize 




King and Ori:i':N of Ruimania, with Generals and 
Ministers, in Transylvania 





-is 




» - 




u-{ • c:^i-,-^fate^itMii 


m 






n 



Members of the American Food Cu.\l\iission in Roumania 



PROCLAMATION OF GENERAL BERTHELOT 295 

that because of snow all transportation has been com- 
pletely paralyzed, and the misery, even in the capital, 
is extreme and creates a real danger. 

{February 6.) We have received a letter from the 
Roumanian government again complaining that the 
Bulgarians are taking all the supplies away from Dobrudja, 
and they ask us to see to it that they are sent away from 
that territory. 

{February 10.) We have again received a notifica- 
tion from the Roumanian government that the Rou- 
manian population in Constantinople and Turkey is 
suffering because Roumania has no official representa- 
tive there. They ask that they be permitted to nominate 
a Roumanian commissioner to represent the Roumanian 
interests there. 

{February 11.) The Roumanian government has 
notified us that a great part of the archaeological treasure 
has been removed from the museums of Southern Dob- 
rudja, and transferred to Bulgaria and put in the museums 
in Varna. They demand immediate restitution. Gen- 
eral Berthelot notified General Chretien to inform him 
of this Bulgarian action, and we have asked our govern- 
ments to notify the Allied representatives in Sofia to 
attend to this matter. 

We have received complaints from the Roumanian 
government regarding the treatment of the Roumanians 
in Transylvania, by the Hungarians, stating that they 
continue to treat the Roumanians there very cruelly, 
torturing and killing people in different villages. The 
Roumanians claim that the action of the Hungarians 
should be stopped, because in the territory which is 
occupied by Roumanian troops all nationalities are 
protected. 



296 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

{February 20.) We have sent a letter to the Minister 
of Foreign Affairs, in which we protest against Article I 
of the decree of law regarding agricultural reforms, as 
follows: 

"Article I of the law regarding the agricultural 
reforms prescribes the complete expropriation of rural 
property belonging to foreign subjects, whereas the 
national properties will only be reduced. This arrange- 
ment seems to discriminate between the Roumanian and 
Allied subjects, to the detriment of the last mentioned. 

"We consider it our duty to call the attention of 
our governments to the text of this law, and await instruc- 
tions. Meanwhile we beg to formulate our reservations." 

We have notified our governments that the Drogman 
of the Roumanian Legation in Constantinople, Mr. 
Capacosta, is authorized to represent the Roumanian 
interests before the Commissioners in Constantinople. 

{February 21.) We have asked the Roumanian 
government that Allied capital should be treated the 
same as purely Roumanian capital. In case the Rou- 
manian government should wish to appoint a sequester 
for an Allied society, we ask that before the nomination 
of the sequester is made, the Minister of the Allies whose 
subjects' interests are involved should be consulted 
about it. 



CHAPTER XXIX 

DISTRESSING SHORTAGE OF FOOD — HEALING BREACH 

BETWEEN ALLIES AND ROUMANIA — TRADE 

DEVELOPMENT 

{February 21, 1919) 

I HAVE sent to my government, and my colleagues 
to their respective governments, the following tele- 
gram regarding the food necessary for Roumania, based 
upon information received from Captain Green, United 
States representative in Roumania of the Food Com- 
mission of the Supreme Economic Council: 

"The amount of food which it will be necessary to 
ship into Roumania up to the end of November amounts 
to an average of 100,000 tons per month. This figure is 
based on a careful study of the official reports of the 
Ministers of Commerce, War and Agriculture, and on 
such other information in regard to conditions as is 
available. The figures are, of course, not prepared 
with the scientific exactitude which would be possible 
in a country possessing the administrative machinery 
necessary for the preparation of complete statistics 
concerning the stocks now in hand. I am, however, 
convinced that unless importations approximating an 
average of 100,000 tons a month are made, most of the 
live stock of the country, and a large proportion of 
the population, will die of starvation before the end of the 
present crisis. 

"According to advices received from Mr. Hoover, 
United States Food Administrator, the United States 
will be able to furnish only 25,000 tons of cereals per 
month, as a contribution to the requirements of Rou- 

297 



298 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

mania. I am as yet uncertain whether a certain quantity 
of pork products is to be included in the 25,000 tons, or 
whether it can be furnished in addition to the 25,000 
tons. In any case, it will be necessary for the Rou- 
manian government to apply to the British and French 
governments for a proportion of their food requirements. 

** There is also very urgent need of spring wheat, 
barley, oats and maize seed; except the maize, all seed 
must reach this country before March 15 to be of any 
use. The maize could be used if it comes a fortnight 
later. Unless these seed requirements are satisfied the 
crisis will last another year." 

This appeal was made on the 5th of March: 

"We earnestly hope that the three governments, 
America, England and France, will take into immediate 
consideration the food situation in Roumania, and we 
beg that we may be informed as soon as possible how 
far the requirements stated can be met by the respective 
governments. 

If it is impossible to divert ships with seed for wheat, 
oats and barley in time to be of use, we trust that all 
efforts will be concentrated on the arrival here of maize 
for seed before April 1. In this case, it would be most 
helpful that we should be enabled to publish widely that 
maize will arrive in time for sowing, so that the peasants 
will not be tempted to conceal any stocks they may 
have, in order to preserve them from consumption and 
keep them for sowing purposes." 

{March 7.) We have sent to the Roumanian govern- 
ment a request that the execution of the law mentioned 
in our communication of the 22d ult. be suspended. 

{March 10.) The announcement that the line of 
occupation passed by Sathmare, Orada Mare and Arad, 



SHORTAGE OF FOOD IN ROUMANIA 299 

which was given to the Roumanians, provoked a great 
rage in the Hungarians, who revenge themselves again 
by new atrocities and massacres, which occur daily. 
It is absolutely necessary that the Roumanian troops 
be sent to their new line of occupation as soon as possible, 
where they should be assisted by the Allied troops. 
Every hour of delay in said decision will lead to more 
atrocities. We ask our governments to take the neces- 
sary steps to hasten the establishment of the new 
line. 

The Prime Minister advises us regarding the law 
about foreign capital, that it should be treated the 
same as purely Roumanian capital. He cannot, he 
states, comply with our request, as the Constitution 
alone can change this. We will, however, continue to 
ask that this modification be made. 

(March 24.) The Roumanian government has com- 
plained to us that the international military authorities 
have prohibited the exportation of goods from Turkey to 
Roumania. If this is true, it will result in great damage 
to Roumania, because, at this time, the population is 
short of everything. We have requested that a tele- 
gram be sent immediately to these commissioners, ask- 
ing if this report is correct, as we would like to satisfy 
the Roumanian government, which considers this action 
very grave. 

To all demands for food, America and England an- 
swered first. Roumania had only one week's supply 
of com left, and no bread, when two boats with more 
than 5,000 tons of flour each arrived at Constanza. 
Afterwards the supplies came mostly from America, and 
were distributed under the direction of Captain Green 



300 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

in such a manner that he gained the praise of the Rou- 
manian ministry, especially of Minister Constantinescu, 
who had charge of the supplies. I am sure that the 
Roumanians will be forever grateful to the American 
people for this aid in their greatest misery. 

At the time when the appeal was made to America 
for the relief of Roumania, it was first asked that the 
Koover Food Commission send as much food as possible 
to Roumania as quickly as it could be shipped. At 
the same time an appeal was made to the American 
Red Cross, and the response from both was prompt and 
generous. 

Colonel Henry W. Anderson was the American Red 
Cross Director for all the Balkan States, and Major 
H. G. Wells was sent directly to Roumania to take charge 
of the relief work there. He established branches for 
the distribution, in charge of members of the American 
Red Cross, and by his systematized plans all sections of 
the country were afforded relief. The American Red 
Cross spent several million dollars for the relief of 
Roumania, and the benefit to that country was in- 
calculable. 

To the telegram of March 10 which my colleagues 
and I sent to our respective representatives on the Peace 
Commission, regarding the line of demarkation, we never 
received an answer, and when in April, 1919, the Prime 
Minister of Hungary, Count Karoli, could go no further 
because his government was bankrupt, he turned over 
the Hungarian government to Bela Kun, the Bolshevik 
leader of Hungary. 

This new ruler aroused terror not only in Hungary, 
but also in the neighboring countries. He imprisoned 
his pohtical opponents and many rich people outside 



SHORTAGE OF FOOD IN ROUMANIA 301 

of political circles, and he had many of them executed 
without trial. 

He ordered an attack on two villages in Transyl- 
vania close to the new border of Hungary and Roumania. 
In this attack one hundred and twenty-five Roumanian 
people were wounded and killed. At the same time his 
troops took with them the mother and sister of the 
acting Governor of Transylvania, Mr. Maniu. When 
this report came to Bucharest, the Roumanian people 
became very much excited. The newspapers blamed 
the government for not acting, and for not taking pos- 
session of the new border line which was given to them 
by the Allies. 

During this excitement, which extended to the 
members of the Cabinet, Minister Constantinescu asked 
the Entente ministers and myself to dinner. In the 
course of the conversation there, this matter was dis- 
cussed, and the minister asked our advice as to what 
should be done to quiet and protect the people. 

We, the ministers, had not received instructions from 
our respective governments, and therefore told him that 
the Roumanians could not take possession of the new 
line of demarkation until they were advised to do so 
by the Peace Commission. I stated that if in America 
such attacks as those of Bela Kun should occur, the 
people would protest until the government would be 
obliged to send troops to protect those in danger, 
whether there was authority to do so or not. 

No answer came from the Allies, and the Roumanians 
marched the next day and took possession of the new 
line of their frontier as fixed by the Allies, although not 
yet confirmed by them. 

The same evening I sent a telegram to the American 



302 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Peace Commission in' Paris, and requested them to see 
to it that Bela Kun received forty-eight hours' notice 
from the Peace Commission to quit, and if he disobeyed 
this order, that the Peace Commission should give joint 
orders to Czecho-Slovakia, Jugo-Slavia and Roumania 
to attack him and make him quit, and I stated that 
by this action the prestige of the AlUed Peace Com- 
mission would be preserved. 

I am sure that if action had been taken on my tele- 
gram, which, by the way, was endorsed by the American 
military attache in Bucharest, much trouble and many 
Czecho-Slovak and Roumanian lives could have been 
saved, and that the Peace Commission would have 
preserved its prestige. 

Regarding the line of demarkation, we received from 
the Paris Peace Commission notification that General 
d'Esperey would establish and supervise the line 
between Hungary and Roumania. After the Rou- 
manians took possession of the line, Bela Kun attacked 
them from the north and inflicted great damage, but 
the Roumanians not only repulsed the attack but defeated 
Bela Kun's army and pursued it to the Tissa River. 
However, on the order of the Peace Commission at 
Paris, they stopped there, although they wanted to 
follow him up and if possible disperse his entire army. 

While the Roumanian army was on the Tissa River, 
Bela Kun did not desist but attacked them from the 
south and killed twenty-four hundred of them. The 
Roumanians then went after him, and did not stop 
until they came to Budapest, where they dispersed his 
army and took possession of the city. 

In April, 1919, I received the following letter from 
the Serbian government: 




Petroleum Wells in the Valley of Campina, Roumania 




Petroleum Refinery at Campina 



SHORTAGE OF FOOD IN ROUMANIA 303 

Minister: 

His Royal Highness, Prince Alexander, Regent of the King- 
dom of the Serbians, Croats and Slovenes, desiring to give you 
a special sign of his high friendliness, and to recompense the 
services which you have had occasion to render to my country, 
has designed, by Decree of December 24, 1918, bearing No. 
6159, to confer upon you the Grand Cordon of the Order of the 
White Eagle, 1st Class. 

In handing you the decoration of the said order, I consider 
myself happy to be able to express to you my heartiest congratu- 
lations on the high favor by which you have been honored, and 
take with pleasure the occasion to assure you anew of my highest 
consideration. 

(Signed) G. N. Nastassiyetvitch, 

Charge d' Affaires. 

On the same day, I received an official communi- 
cation from the Roumanian government, enclosing the 
following decree: 

Ferdinand I 

By the grace of God and National Will, 

King of Roumania 

To all present now and hereafter, 

Greetings 

In accordance with the Report No. 5112 of our Minister of 
Foreign Affairs, Chancellor of Orders, I have decreed and decree: 
Art. I. We appoint a member of the order of Steaua Rou- 
maniei, in the grade of Mare Cruce, Mr. Charles Vopicka, 
Extraordinary Envoy and Plenipotentiary Minister of the 
United States of America to our Court. 
The named will wear the civil insignia. 
Art. II. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chancellor of 
Orders, is charged with the execution of this decree. 
Given at Bucharest this 30th day of March, 1919. 

(Signed) Ferdinand. 
The Acting President of the Councils of Ministers, 
The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, 
Chancellor of Orders, 
No. 1467 M. Pherekyde. 

20 



304 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

I expressed my thanks to both governments for the 
honors conferred upon me, but was obliged to state that 
under the laws of my country, a representative of the 
nation was not permitted to receive any decoration during 
the term of his official life. However, this objection was 
not regarded as insuperable by either of the monarchs 
and each insisted that I accept the decoration. 

King Ferdinand had seen the statement in a news- 
paper that an act of Congress had been asked in a sim- 
ilar case in another country, in order to permit the 
acceptance of a decoration, and he thereupon sent a 
telegram to President Wilson as follows: 

Mr. Vopicka, the United States representative in Roumania, 
has given so many proofs of his devotion to the Allied cause, 
and especially to Roumania through all these difficult times, that 
I am very desirous to show him my full appreciation of his excel- 
lent work by bestowing on him a Roumanian decoration. I 
would consider it a special favor if the United States government 
would allow Mr. Vopicka to accept this distinction. 

(Signed) Ferdinand. 

I immediately wrote to the Department of State, 
giving all the facts, and enclosing the decrees and the 
decorations, and these remained in the custody of the 
State Department at Washington until I resigned my 
post, when they were turned over to me. 

About the first of June, 1919, I left for America, on 
leave of absence granted to me by the Department of 
State. The Roumanian government gave me a special 
car which took me up to Agram, where another special 
car was assigned me by the Jugo-Slavians and Czecho- 
slovaks, which took me first to Vienna and from there 
to Prague. I was anxious to visit Belgrade at this time, 
but on account of the trouble between Jugo-Slavia and 
Italy about Fiume, the Department of State thought 
it was not advisable. 



SHORTAGE OF FOOD IN ROUMANIA 305 

When I came to Paris in the month of June, I inquired 
of the members of the American Peace Commission, Mr. 
Lansing, Mr. White and General Bliss, whether my 
telegram regarding Bela Kun's action arrived. I was 
told to take the matter up with General Bliss, who said 
that my telegram did arrive, but that no action was 
taken on it because he accepted only the advice of 
American officers on the front in such matters. Then 
I told him in this case he could not wait for such advice 
from the Roumanian front, because there were no 
American officers there. But I could not argue with 
the General, who did not pay any attention to my 
communications. 

After I had been in America about two weeks, I 
received a notice from the Department of State to come 
to Washington, where the Secretary of State showed me 
the complete correspondence between the American 
Peace Commission in Paris and the Department, in 
which it was stated that the Allies had ordered a block- 
ade against Roumania and were about to break rela- 
tions with them. I was much surprised at this news 
and immediately promised to return to Roumania and 
straighten the matter out. I was instructed to stop at 
Paris and talk with Secretary Polk, who at that time 
represented the American government in the Supreme 
Council of the Peace Commission. 

Mr. Polk was very much dissatisfied with the inac- 
tivity of the Roumanian government. He said that this 
government promised everything and did nothing. I 
asked what was required from the Roumanian govern- 
ment, and assured Mr. Polk that I v/ould be able to 
straighten out the trouble between the Allies and Rou- 
mania, if good will toward them could be shown to 



306 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

me by the Allies themselves. He told me what was 
demanded by the Allies from Roumania, and stated 
that unless she complied with this request, the Allies 
would sever relations. I first spoke to the Roumanian 
members of the Peace Commission in Paris, and then 
sent telegrams to the Roumanian Prime Minister. 

Within ten days the Roumanian government com- 
plied with the first request of the Commission, to supply 
10,000 gendarmes in Hungary with arms and ammuni- 
tion, and also complied with the other things which 
were required, with the exception that they refused to 
sign the treaty between Roumania and Austria. One 
of their reasons for not doing this was that they did not 
like the preamble of the treaty, the rights of the minority, 
and the description of the special Jewish rights. I first 
ascertained what changes in the preamble were demanded 
by the Roumanians, and then submitted them to Mr. 
Polk. He thought that these changes could be made. 
I said that if this was the case, I could leave for Bucha- 
rest, where I could settle the rest of the trouble. When 
I arrived at Bucharest, I was surprised at the conditions 
existing there and at the feeling against the Allies. I 
called a meeting of the Allied ministers, as the dean of 
the diplomatic service, and in this meeting we decided 
on action which would adjust the differences between the 
Allies and the Roumanians. However, the Peace Com- 
mission was impatient at the delay of the Roumanians 
and sent notice that unless the agreement was signed 
within a week, the Allies would be obliged to break 
relations. 

With the representatives of England, France and 
Italy, I served this ultimatum on the Prime Minister, 
General A. Vaitoianu. I told him that we were all 




T. G. Masaryk 
President of Czecho-Slovakia 




Visit of the President of the Czecho-Slovak Republic 
to roumania 

In Front: Mr. Masaryk and Mr. Vopicka 

In Rear: Minister Take Jonescu, Mr. Duca, a Serbian 
Lieutenant, Mrs. Marincovitch, Serbian Military 
Attache, French Minister Count de Saint Aulaire, 
Serbian Minister Marincovitch and French General 
Berthelot 



SHORTAGE OF FOOD IN ROUMANIA 307 

very sorry to be obliged to serve this notice, but as long 
as peace in Europe was at stake, that we asked him kindly 
to comply with the request of the Allies. He said he 
would present this request to his ministry and give us 
the answer as soon as possible. After deliberation, the 
ministers decided that because of patriotic scruples, they 
would rather resign than sign the treaty, and when this 
was announced to the king, he appointed Vaida Voevod 
prime minister. 

At eleven o'clock that night, the new Prime Minister 
came to our Legation and told me that if the changes 
he suggested in Paris were made in the treaty, he would 
be willing to sign it. I assured him that the Peace 
Commission would comply with this request, and that 
he should send my telegram regarding this matter over 
his wire, as it was necessary that the answer should reach 
Paris before the departure of Mr. Polk to the United 
States. The signing of the treaty between Austria and 
Roumania was the last matter to which Mr. Polk's 
attention was given. 

After this treaty was signed and the danger of a 
rupture between Roumania and the Allies was removed, 
the Roumanian people were very well satisfied. At 
first it was the opinion of the members of the royal 
family that Roumania had made great sacrifices by 
signing this treaty, but after further consideration they 
also became fully satisfied. 

At last peace had come to Roumania, and the people 
could return to their homes, and again take up their 
former occupations. 

My position as minister to three countries was unique, 
and required the exercise of much tact and discretion. 



308 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

While it is true that these countries had many interests 
in common, they also had their individual interests apart 
from each other, and there naturally was great rivalry 
in many things. Possibly the greatest fear of all was of 
any possible encroachment on their respective territories. 
Therefore I was scrupulously careful, when making 
a speech in any one of the countries, to confine my 
remarks only to the affairs of that nation, and to make 
no reference to the affairs of the other states. Of course 
it was to be expected that at times the representatives 
of a government would, ingenuously or otherwise, ask 
some question regarding conditions or matters in one of 
the other countries which I represented, but diplomatic 
evasion of such inquiries was a necessary part of my 
official career. 



CHAPTER XXX 

SKETCHES OF KING FERDINAND AND QUEEN MARIE — 
OTHER ROUMANIAN PATRIOTS 

DURING the years 1914 and 1915, I was in con- 
stant communication with the American Consul- 
General, Mr. J. B. Ravndal, in Constantinople, where 
he helped to start the American Chamber of Commerce 
for the Levant. He asked me to cooperate with him 
in organizing an American Chamber of Commerce for the 
three Balkan countries to which I was accredited. 

I realized the necessity of a Chamber of Commerce 
for the establishment and development of trade between 
these countries and America. The business done in 
these countries with America was very small and was 
limited to purchases of agricultural machinery. I imme- 
diately asked our consular agent in Sofia and our consul 
in Serbia to cooperate with me. In Bucharest, I called 
a meeting of prominent American and Roumanian busi- 
ness men, and at this meeting the Chamber of Commerce 
was organized. However, just when plans were laid and 
a program worked out, Roumania entered the war and 
our activity was stopped. 

When the new consul, Mr. Kemp, arrived at Bucha- 
rest after the war, I talked to him about the pre-war 
action on the American Chamber of Commerce, and he 
was enthusiastic about it at once and promised to con- 
tinue the work. A meeting was called and the organ- 
ization was renewed. He was elected chairman, with 
authority to name the board of directors. 

During the term of my office as Minister to Rou- 
mania, Bulgaria and Serbia, the Department of State 

309 



310 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

was short of secretaries. I had a secretary for only- 
two years out of the seven; in other words, I was with- 
out a secretary for five years. 

When I left the United States for Jassy, via Russia, 
I took two young men with me as private secretaries, 
but one of them after he spent one month in Jassy was 
so sick of that city, and probably also lonesome for his 
sweetheart, that he left with the American Red Cross 
Commission for the United States; the other stayed 
with me up to June 8, 1918, the time when the Germans 
allowed the only train to leave from Roumania to France. 
Then I could not hold him, because he wanted to enlist 
as an aeronaut with the American army in France. 

The persons who left in this train could take no 
papers with them, so I had to make him memorize every- 
thing I wanted to say to my government. He arrived 
at Berne, sent my message to Washington, and after 
that joined the American army. 

After he left, I had only one clerk in the Legation. 
He was an Englishman, an old employe of the Standard 
Oil Company, and I was obliged to depend on him 
entirely to do my office work. He was a good stenog- 
rapher, but did not speak French. I had to attend to 
telegrams and official correspondence personally. Of 
course during this period, more than six months, the 
Department could not send me any help, as I was iso- 
lated from the whole world, together with my colleagues, 
the Allied ministers, and the Roumanians themselves. 
At that time we were completely surrounded by the 
Bolsheviki and the armies of the Central Powers. 

Our partial liberty was recovered when the American 
army, in September, 1918, showed our enemies what 
they could do. Then I was permitted to send tele- 




Queen Marie and Princess Illiana among the Orphans 




Princess Illiana of Roumania 



11 



I 



KING FERDINAND AND QUEEN MARIE 311 

grams in cipher, and again receive communications in 
the same form from the Department of State. During 
the period from April to October, 1918, I could send 
only telegrams en clair, and these, with two exceptions, 
were lost on the way. 

When the Roumanian government returned from 
Jassy to Bucharest, of course all German war prisoners 
were brought there too. The German interests, after 
America went to war, were placed in the hands of the 
Swiss government, and then the Swiss Legation moved 
into the German Legation building at Bucharest. 

The German war prisoners, especially the officers, 
in Roumania, could get no satisfaction from the Swiss 
Legation, and were calling on our Legation and asking 
me to intervene in their behalf, for humanity's sake, 
claiming that I was the only man who could obtain 
permission for them to be sent home. I told them that 
I could not interfere, out of courtesy to my colleague, 
but when I met the Swiss Minister, I talked to him 
privately about the matter, and he at once told me that 
he could do nothing for the war prisoners, and if I could 
do anything for them, he would be glad. 

I took this matter up unofficially with the Prime 
Minister, Mr. Bratiano, and he said he was willing to 
send the German prisoners to Germany as soon as the 
Roumanian prisoners were sent back to Roumania. 
A Roumanian commission was sent to Berlin to take up 
the matter of exchanging the prisoners of war. An 
agreement was reached, and thereafter, whenever a 
trainload of Roumanian war prisoners arrived from 
Germany, the same train was filled with German pris- 
oners and sent back to Germany. This exchange was 
satisfactory to both parties. 



312 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

While the government's seat was in Jassy during 
Marghiloman's regime, a great deal of propaganda was 
given out against Bratiano's government in Walachia. 
Mr. Bratiano was charged, during the time that the 
Germans were successful on the Western front, with 
sacrificing Dobrudja, Roumania's economic independ- 
ence, and even the whole Roumanian race. 

Marghiloman insisted that General Illiesco should 
not be pardoned, stating that if he should be, the crime 
of Tukarcaia would be condoned, and furthermore, that 
he would be forgiven for the poverty he had thrown over 
the country. We cannot pardon national assassination. 
He said that Bratiano should be brought before the 
courts. Mr. Constantinescu was arrested with Mr. 
George Corbescu, the prefect of police, and others. 

During my stay in Jassy, many representatives of 
different nations came to our Legation, and asked me 
to send petitions on their behalf to the Peace Com- 
mission and to President Wilson. Among them was a 
committee of Ukrainians, representing the party of 
General Petlura. To them I said that I could not recom- 
mend his party, because it was very uncertain whether his 
army consisted of Bolsheviki or anti-Bolsheviki. It was 
proved that the majority of his troops became Bolshe- 
viki. 

' Also, representatives of the Bolsheviki of Ukrainia 
called on me, and wanted me to send their petition to 
President Wilson. I told them that I did not believe I 
could do it on account of their doctrine, and the chair- 
man told me that I probably was not well acquainted 
with their doctrine, and stated that the first Bolshevik 
was Christ, because he said that nobody should own 
anything more than his neighbor. I told him that 



KING FERDINAND AND QUEEN MARIE 313 

that idea might have been all right in that time, but 
that it was impossible now. 

The Cossacks, Georgians, Armenians and Albanians 
also sent representatives to the Legation to plead their 
respective causes, and to urge that their petitions be for- 
warded to the Peace Commission and to President Wilson. 

After the Roumanian government returned to Bucha- 
rest, there was a feeling plainly shown between the 
people who came from Jassy and those who stayed in 
Bucharest during the German occupation, and even 
articles in the papers stated that the majority of the 
people who stayed in Bucharest were charged with being 
Germanophile and should be ignored. Of course this 
action was not approved by the Allied representatives 
in Bucharest. This feeling had abated considerably at 
the time I left Bucharest in 1920. 

After the signing of the Armistice, many prominent 
Americans came to Bucharest for different reasons. 
Many were sent by the Peace Commission in Paris as 
investigators. Some were members of the American 
Red Cross, others were members of Hoover's Food 
Commission, representatives of religious missions and 
church investigators. A number of army officers arrived, 
but no emissaries of trade missions appeared. 

Many came to the Legation to obtain information 
from me, which would aid them in the execution of their 
functions, and some of these men expressed their opinion 
that it would not be necessary to send commissions to 
the Balkans, if the Peace Commission in Paris would ask 
me to give my advice in settling the disagreements 
between the Balkanic nations. 

Among other things which I considered very import- 
ant for our country was the membership on the Danube 



314 SECRETS OF THE BALKj\NS 

Commission. I asked the Department of State to insist 
that one member of the Commission should be an Amer- 
ican, because if we wished to do business in Central 
Europe, it was essential that our country be represented 
on that body, but the Department of State never made 
a decision in the matter. 

The Roumanian people will never forget those who 
were responsible for their victory, and who made out of 
Roumania, Roumania Mare, by extending the territory 
and increasing the population from seven million to 
eighteen million people. First among them is King Ferd- 
inand I, who, at the request of the majority of the Rou- 
manian people, consented to enter the war. 

I consider King Ferdinand one of the most demo- 
cratic kings in Europe. If it were not for the conven- 
tional ceremonies and formalities with which he was 
surrounded, I am sure he would have been willing and 
glad to meet all people without ceremony, even on the 
street or in his private home, as well as in the office of 
the palace. 

He was a hard worker; there was not a day in the week 
that he was not working with the different ministers. He 
was well acquainted with all the branches of the govern- 
ment, and his advice to the ministers was invaluable. 
He was a constitutional king, with the exclusive right as 
the head of the army and the privilege to name the 
ministry. 

When the question came up as to who should be 
King Carol's successor, King Carol himself suggested 
the name of the present King Ferdinand, formerly 
Prince Hohenzollem; and Queen ''Carmen Sylva" sug- 
gested the Prince of Wied, later known as King of Albania. 




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KING FERDINAND AND QUEEN MARIE 315 

But King Carol gained his point, and the present King 
Ferdinand received the preference, to the good fortune 
of Roumania. 

As a new Prince of Roumania, he immediately took 
up the study of the Roumanian language, which he 
spoke well, and I have heard him make speeches in 
that language that would do credit to any Roumanian 
professor. 

When the war was started, he was a friend of the 
Allies, but would not make known his opinions, because 
King Carol was favoring Austro-Hungary and Germany, 
or neutrality. But after the death of King Carol, 
King Ferdinand showed his ability, and when the 
opportune time came, he proclaimed himself for the 
war on the side of the Allies, and from that time on 
became a very much loved king in Roumania. There 
was never given him the credit he deserves. I, who 
particularly studied him, must give him credit for his 
ability, capacity for hard work, democracy and fair- 
ness. He guarded the interests of Roumania success- 
fully, and he proved himself, in the time of danger to 
Roumania, the man of the hour. During the war he 
was constantly with his army, giving advice and encour- 
agement where it was necessary. 

In his work he was well supported by his wife. Her 
Majesty the Queen Marie. It is my great pleasure to 
mention here the work of this queen, so popular and 
dearly loved by her people. As ruler, she showed her 
ability. In peace, she worked for the education of the 
people; she tried to better their material conditions. 
In their poverty, she aided them, and tried to find work 
which would not be difficult but still help them financially. 

She was an early riser, getting up at 6 o'clock, and at 



316 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

6:30 she had breakfast and then dictated her letters 
and material for her books. Later in the day she painted, 
visited different institutions and hospitals, and gave teas, 
to which she invited new artists, and in that way intro- 
duced them to the public. At the same time she chatted 
with the diplomats and with prominent subjects. And 
she managed to spend considerable time with her chil- 
dren, helping them to become well educated. 

During the war, as an English-bom woman, she was 
the greatest friend of the Entente in Roumania, and when 
the war was proclaimed in Roumania in favor of the 
Entente, everybody gave her credit for influencing this 
decision. She was an angel to the wounded soldiers, 
the orphans, the needy and the suffering people. She 
planned, she worked, she risked her life daily, especially 
during the terrible epidemics in Roumania. 

She was everywhere. Her palace was changed into 
a workshop, in which the highest ladies in Roumania 
were toiling every day under her leadership. She 
discussed politics with the king and the ministers, and 
many times gave advice which brought great benefit 
to her country. 

When she left Jassy and went to Bicaz, on the 
Bistritza River, the diplomats and the people of Rou- 
mania were afraid that the Germans might carry her 
away from there, as her protection was insufficient. 
But she walked about freely in her national costume, 
without fear, always working among the poor and sick, 
giving advice and aid to them. When during the war 
she lost her beloved son. Prince Mirca, she mourned 
the great misfortune but worked resolutely on. She 
was with the Red Cross workers on the battlefield, she 
consoled the wounded soldiers, and obtained for them 



KING FERDINAND AND QUEEN MARIE 317 

the best to eat and drink, of which, however, the stock 
was insufficient. There is no doubt in my mind that if 
she could have led the soldiers, the Roumanian army 
would have been unconquerable. 

Her constructive work during the war for the aid, 
not only of the soldiers and orphans, but of the civil 
population, which suffered terribly by reason of insuffi- 
cient food, was praised by everybody. Friends or enemies 
had only good words for her, and when she became 
ill, I met many people whose eyes were full of tears 
when they asked me news of Her Majesty's condition. 

I am recording this as a sketch of the real queen, 
whose activity benefited her people, in whose hearts 
her name is written in golden letters, and who is admired 
by all diplomats and visitors who had opportunity to 
see her work for humanity. 

Her Majesty's womanly traits were very marked, 
and often revealed even in trivial matters. Shortly 
after the treaty between Roumania and Austria was 
signed, in 1919, I sent her a box of American made 
flavored biscuit, and these she acknowledged by send- 
ing me a beautiful autographed photograph of hers-elf. 
On the back of this she had inscribed: 

Dear Mr. Minister: 

Thank you ever so much for the exquisite biscuits. Illiana 
and I ate them with relish, regretting that America is so far off, 
and that the delicious biscuits disappear too rapidly, being too 
good to eat moderately. Now that our poor little country has 
been bullied into signing, I hope we may all be friends again, and 
that all bitterness between us and our "friends" will die a natural 
death. 

(Signed) Marie. 

Other persons to whom credit should be given for 
Roumanian success are, Mr. Jon I. C. Bratiano, Mr. 



318 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

Alex Constantinescu, Mr. Take Jonescu, Mr. Nicu 
Filipescu, Mr. Mihail Pherekyde, Prince Stirbey, Mr. 
Vintila J. C. Bratiano, Mr. Diamandy, Mr. N. Misu, 
Mr. Em-Porumbaru, Mr. E. Constinescu, Mr. I. Duca, 
Dr. Angelescu, General Grigorescu, General Averescu, 
General Coanda, General Vaitoianu, General Prezan, 
General Cristescu, besides many others. 

Mr. Marghiloman is mentioned because he was 
the Prime Minister under the German occupation of 
Walachia, and in his difficult position, although con- 
sidered a Germanophile, he protected the royal family. 

The inhabitants of Roumania, Serbia and Bulgaria 
have much in common, in their environment, customs 
and mode of living. The great majority in each country 
live in small houses, but being a hardy and prolific people, 
and given to marrying in early life, they raise large 
families. And each family has at least one dog, and 
sometimes one for each member of the family, all 
trained to be faithful guardians of their owner's interests. 

The kysele mleko, a sour milk, called iaurt or Bul- 
garian sour milk, is a popular beverage. The cigarette 
habit is prevalent among both sexes in each country. 
They all have the same national dance, the "Hora," and 
the wedding ceremony is much the same, though this 
is probably due to the fact that they all belong to the 
orthodox church. 

They all love their homes and countries. The 
Roumanians have a saying, ''Dombovitza apa dulca 
cine mi se mai duce," which, being freely translated 
means, "Whoever once drinks the sweet water of Dom- 
bovitza will never depart from here." Their laws are 
generally founded on the same principles, though of 




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KING FERDINAND AND QUEEN MARIE 319 

course there are a few that are peculiar to their own 
locality. Many years ago, the Bulgarians passed a 
law imposing a tax of three dollars a year on all unmarried 
men of thirty years and over. It became a custom on 
the first Monday in Lent for the girls to arm themselves 
with inflated pig bladders, and with these they freely 
beat up the luckless bachelors, who were willing to pay 
the tax if they could only escape the flagellation, this 
being a case where it was more blessed to give than to 
receive. 



21 



CHAPTER XXXI 

IMPROBABILITY OF FUTURE EUROPEAN WARS 

TODAY we view Europe after the World War. 
What are the conditions there now? What does 
the future hold? Must we expect another war in the 
near future? How should America act towards the 
stricken nations? 

Frequently I have been asked these questions, and 
I believe the American people are entitled to all the 
information that can be given them regarding present 
conditions in Europe, and the probabilities and possibili- 
ties of the future. And this must be based on knowledge 
of the European people, their pre-war aspirations and 
their national demands and needs. 

Many do not yet realize how hard a task President 
Wilson had after the armistice, when the settlement 
among the nations came up for discussion before the 
Peace Commission in Paris. 

The Entente Powers (England, France and Italy) 
made contracts and gave promises to different nations 
before America entered the war, to induce them to 
take part on their side and help defeat the enemy, and 
many of these promises, and even contracts, were not 
brought to the knowledge of President Wilson. When he 
proclaimed his fourteen points he did not know that 
many of the promises made could not be fulfilled if his 
plan should be adopted, and this was really the cause 
of the trouble which faced the Peace Commission and 
delayed the signing of peace treaties. 

For years the main obstacle to European peace was 
Austro-Hungary, and I believe that by the division of 

320 



IMPROBABILITY OF FUTURE EUROPEAN WARS 321 

that monarchy the main source of trouble for peace in 
Europe was removed. 

Let us see which nations in Europe, if any, could 
desire war in the future. We will consider first those 
which were defeated, namely, Germany, Austro-Hungary, 
Bulgaria and Turkey. 

I do not believe that Germany will be eager for war, 
for several reasons. First, since this war, the people of 
Germany have become more democratic and anti-milita- 
ristic. The militaristic party of Germany, which had a 
pre-war strength of only eleven per cent of the German 
population and yet forced the German people into the 
disastrous war, will never come into power again, if the 
present democratic government can be made permanent 
and prove that the people can exist under it as under 
the military rule. 

Monetary reasons alone are sufficient to preclude 
the possibility of Germany again seeking a war. 

Germany as a republic, like all firmly established 
republics, will not be led into war on flimsy or unimpor- 
tant issues as readily as a monarchy. 

A German republic, a democratic institution, will be 
more successful than the monarchy. If the Allies take 
into consideration this last named point especially, they 
will be careful not to press Germany too far. We 
Americans can aid to establish a permanent republic 
in Germany, not by mere advice but by material help. 

The often expressed fear that Germany might combine 
with Russia and fight the other nations should not be 
considered at all. Bolshevik Russia has a separate 
standing, and not all Russians are Bolsheviki. We 
must not forget that the Russians are Slavs, and, there- 
fore, even if the government of Russia is changed in 



322 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

the future, there will be no combination of Germans 
and Russians against the people of the world. 

There are other reasons against hostile action on the 
part of Germany in the near future, but the chief one 
is that the German people are worn and subdued by their 
experiences, which they do not care to live through 
again. 

Austria, now a new country with about six and one- 
half million people, cannot even think of a new war. 
There would have to be a reason for which the whole 
nation would demand it, and there is none conceivable. 

In this connection, I may state that the stand of the 
Allied Powers against the annexation of Austria to 
Germany was taken for the reason that Germany would 
be too near the Balkans, which would be inimical to 
European peace. 

The statement that Austria cannot exist as an 
independent nation is wrong. The people living in 
Vienna must now and forever forget what Vienna was 
before the war, when all the other nations constituting 
the Austro-Himgarian monarchy were obliged to pay 
for the upkeep of that city, which was the residence of the 
monarch and the seat of government. If that is forgot- 
ten, they can develop their industries just as the people 
of Switzerland do, and then Austria can live on its indus- 
try as well as Switzerland can. 

Himgary's position is better than the position of 
Austria, because she is entirely an agricultural country. 
With her seven million inhabitants she has a prosperous 
existence assured. She also must forget her pre-war 
standing, and adjust herself to present conditions. If 
she should try to engage in war, she would simply be 
committing national suicide. 







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IMPROBABILITY OF FUTURE EUROPEAN WARS 323 

Bulgaria is the only country which has a real griev- 
ance. It is charged that she committed a crime by 
joining Germany and Austria in the war, but we must 
realize that the people of Bulgaria as a whole did not 
wish to join the Germans, and that their sympathy was 
with the Allies. Czar Ferdinand and Prime Minister 
Radoslavoff were responsible for her participation in 
the war, and they are today in exile, not permitted to 
return to Bulgaria. 

The Allies of course demanded satisfaction, and 
Bulgaria was obliged to pay and suffer for the wrong 
step taken, but I expected that the real attitude of the 
Bulgarian people before the war would be taken into 
consideration before the judgment of the Allies was 
pronounced. Now, after the decision is made against 
Bulgaria, I believe that she is too severely punished. 
Not only Thrace was taken away from her, but also 
the entrance to the i^gean Sea. 

When we consider the future peace of Europe, we 
must also think of Bulgaria. The countries of her 
former Allies in the first Balkanic war are enlarged but 
she is made smaller. Land is the dearest possession of 
the Balkan people, and territorial reduction is the 
bitterest form of penalty. 

I am sure we all agree that she had to be punished, 
but not so severely as she was. She should receive her 
frontier on the ^gean Sea again, and in compensation 
be obliged to pay a little more indemnity. If a steady 
peace is to reign in the Balkans, Bulgaria must be taken 
into consideration. She is there to stay, and her 
neighbors, no matter how unfriendly to her, must use 
sound judgment. 

If Bulgaria, who lost all her claims on Macedonia, 
is too much pressed, she may be a cause of perpetual 



324 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

unrest, a prospect the Allies should kill in the bud. 

Turkey, the most troublesome country in Europe, 
should be removed from Europe to Asia Minor. The 
cruelty with which she treated the Armenians should be 
sufficient reason for this act. For centuries she was 
massacring Christians; for centuries she was an unmer- 
ciful master of the Balkanic nations. She never insti- 
tuted any reforms, nor ever made a suggestion for the 
benefit of mankind. Now is the proper time to punish 
her for all her sins of the past. 

The jealousy always existing among European nations 
should be removed in this case. Constantinople should 
be internationalized and the Dardanelles made per- 
petually free to all the nations. If the Allies will not 
settle the Turkish question now, in the sense above 
interpreted, then they do not sincerely desire peace, 
and the talk of a long and undisturbed peace is hollow 
and insincere. 

The Turkish reign should be removed to Asia Minor, 
Turkey removed from Europe, and Bulgaria's penalty 
made just, will secure European peace for a long time 
to come. 

The new nations created in the war, namely Czecho- 
slovakia, Jugo-Slavia, Poland and enlarged Roumania 
have no reasons to commence a war. Their national 
dreams are realized, and they will be glad to live in peace. 

After the Irish question is settled and the Russian 
problems cleared up, the old European nations will not 
begin any fresh wars, and all Europe will enjoy the 
peace which was purchased with such tremendous 
sacrifices. 



CHAPTER XXXII 

RUSSIA'S GREAT SACRIFICES AND INVALUABLE AID — 
HER FUTURE 

RUSSIA, the most unfortunate country on earth at 
the present time, should be well treated by the 
Allies. It is due to her army and to the vast sacrifices 
she made at the beginning of the war that Germany 
could not attack the Allies with her full strength, during 
the years 1914 and 1915, and inflict on them a decisive 
defeat. 

It was a sacrifice of the Russians to send two armies 
to East Prussia, as was done at the request of France, 
and this sacrifice made it easier for the Allies to defeat 
the Germans at the Marne, who were obliged to send 
several army corps from France to East Prussia at a very 
critical time. This Russian offensive together with the 
resistance of Belgium, was a great help to the Allies. 

Furthermore, Russia kept Austro-Hungary constantly 
busy, and Generals Brussiloff and Ruzsky gained victory 
after victory against this ally of Germany. At the end 
of September, 1914, the Russian army occupied the 
whole of Galicia, and made the Austrian position so 
critical that Germany was obliged to send eighteen 
divisions to the Eastern front, divisions which not only 
could never be sent back, but even had to be reinforced. 
In March, 1915, the Russian victory was so great 
that even Hungary was penetrated by the Russian 
troops, and the Austro-Hungarian army totally disor- 
ganized. To save Austria, Germany had to send anew 
seventeen divisions to Russia and change all her plans, 

325 



326 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

as it was plain that she had to defeat Russia first before 
she could take a decisive action in France. 

Russia was fighting heroically up to September, 

1915, when, because she had no ammunition, for 
she was not prepared for so long a fight, she was 
temporarily defeated. But by her stand, she gave 
England and France time to increase their armies and 
supply them with sufficient artillery, so that in February, 

1916, when the Germans started their drive, the Allies 
were well prepared for the fight. 

Again, a short time after this, when the Germans 
pressed the Allies too hard, Russia was appealed to and 
responded by commencing an offensive on a large 
front from Baranovitchy to Riga, again at a great 
sacrifice. This movement compelled the Germans to 
transfer several divisions to Russia at a time when she 
could not afford to move them from France. 

And again, when the Italian front was endangered 
by half of Austria's army, Russia was appealed to with 
the result that General Brussiloff's offensive stopped the 
Austrian offensive in Italy, and the Germans were 
obliged to send eighteen more divisions to Russia. 
This move also facilitated the entrance of Roumania 
into the war. The Germans were finally successful in 
Russia, but many hundreds of thousands of her best 
soldiers found their graves there. 

In the winter of 1916-17, Russia reorganized her 
army and increased her infantry, so that in the spring 
of 1917 she was stronger than at any time during the war. 

Between 1914 and 1917 Russia was fighting Turkey 
in Asia Minor with great success, causing heavy losses 
of men and territory to Turkey, but on account of the 
successful revolution in March, 1917, she was prevented 




WooDROW Wilson 



RUSSIA'S GREAT SACRIFICES AND FUTURE 327 

from reaping the benefits of the victory of the Allies. 
Of course it must be taken into consideration that 
Russia's refusal to renew the commercial treaty with 
Germany in 1909 was one of the causes of the World 
War, and therefore by fighting on the side of the Allies 
she did only her duty. 

During the war, Russia lost more than three million 
soldiers and as many more of her civil population, and 
her material sacrifices were enormous. This should not 
be forgotten. 

During the war many changes occurred in the life 
of the Russian people. The Czar established prohibition 
and took vodka from them, and they in turn took his 
throne and afterwards his life, but the revolution 
brought freedom to the people from Czarism, and it was 
the general expectation that Russia would be a successful 
republic similar to our American republic. But it was 
not in the stars that poor Russia should long enjoy 
peace. 

The government of Russia was taken over by the 
Soviets, who were and are trying to introduce their 
doctrine among the Russian people. To do that it was 
necessary to remove all the rich and intelligent people, 
either by killing them or sending them into exile, and 
to divide their properties among the mujiks. This 
granting of the land made the Bolshevik government 
strong. The armies of General Denikine and of General 
Wrangel had no chance, because, in the first place, 
Denikine never issued a proclamation of what his govern- 
ment should do for the Russian mujiks if victorious, nor 
proclaimed that the land which they were holding should 
be secured to them, and, therefore, they preferred the 
certainty which was assured to them by the Bolshevik 



328 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

government. General Wrangel's campaign ended in 
complete defeat. 

Russia's position in Europe is unique. She is the 
only country where a Bolshevik government exists. 
This government is trying to put in force a doctrine 
absolutely new, the result of which is at least very 
doubtful. 

The enormous population comprises one hundred 
and fifty million Slavs, known to be peace loving people. 
The Bolshevik doctrine puts the country in a chaotic 
condition, and it is certain that only a part of the people 
are believers in this new theory, and probably only a 
very small part. 

The present government is unable to satisfy the 
people for several reasons. Russia is exhausted from 
war and needs overhauling in all branches, not only of 
government, but of her industries and commerce 

I believe it is not a good policy for American people 
to keep away from Russia and ignore her, because, 
in the simpleness of the Russian people, most of them 
being unlettered, they will always keep in mind the fact 
that our country was the one that did not help them 
after the war. Whether rightly or not, we can expect 
such a complaint. 

The United States should send to Russia a mixed 
commission of diplomats, engineers, manufacturers and 
business men, who could bring back a complete report 
for our immediate consideration, so that we could either 
at once follow the example of England and other European 
nations who are now supplying Russia, or prepare some 
definite program for action as soon as possible. 

America has a good opportunity to get orders from 
Russia for raw material and manufactured goods, a 



RUSSIA'S GREAT SACRIFICES AND FUTURE 329 

demand which will be enormous, but if we let this oppor- 
tunity pass, Germany, which is now ready for business, 
and England, that has more idle people than ever, will 
make strenuous efforts to supply Russia without us, and 
establish business relations there which will make 
American competition extremely difficult. 

If the Russians are supplied with the necessities of 
life and the required agricultural machinery, it will be 
vastly easier for them to shape their government than 
it is at the present time. 

Russia will limp for a long time, until a new demo- 
cratic government is established, but I believe that she 
can be successful only if she is divided into federal states 
on the plan of our own republic. 

The United States played the most important part in 
the war, decided the victory for the Allies and defeated 
German militarism, and thereby not only gave liberty 
and independence to many nations, but also freed the 
German people from military rule and made Germany 
a democratic nation, which, I am sure, will be more happy 
as a republic than before. And when the first hardships 
which always follow a war are overcome and forgot- 
ten, the German people will live a happier and more 
prosperous life than ever. 

Americans can be proud of their part in the World 
War. Their unselfish and humane action under the 
leadership of President Wilson will forever be a record 
of which the American people can justly feel proud. 

The World War is ended. 

Let us hope that the blood of those who perished, 
and the tears of those who lived and suffered, shall not 
have been shed in vain, and that in time, out of all the 



330 SECRETS OF THE BALKANS 

woe and desolation, shall be brought forth great and 
enduring good for all mankind. 

For the smaller nations, let it be our hope that the 
last chapter has been written in the glorious record of 
the dauntless fight for freedom that they have waged 
for centuries, and that the priceless liberty they have 
won shall serve to unite them evermore, one for all, and 
all for one, in the cause of humanity. 

And the people of these Balkan States, who in the 
desolate years of great tribulation became to me as 
brothers and sisters, may they find joy in their vocations 
and contentment in their homes, and in their hearts the 
deep peace that is born of devotion to the right, and may 
their children of either high or lowly estate be afforded 
the education that is youth's most precious heritage. 

And may all the frightfulness of war be as a night 
of horror, banished by the dawning day that shall be 
the beginning of the eternal reign of truth and justice. 

The End 



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Decorations Accorded Mr. Vopicka 

Serbian Order Roumanian Order 

OF THE White Eagle of 

1ST Class Mare Cruce 



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